₦airaland Forum

Amicable24:
Hmmm, this is getting interesting and suspense filled. Isiakku and Vera Arobadi added just spiced it up the more.

I must commend your diction and style of writing.

Again, I think you need to proofread before posting. I could see a bit of mix up with the names on two occasions.

Thank you for sharing sir, I'm earnestly expecting the other parts

Who killed Sandra Omotoun Ajayi

It is actually an abridged version of the novel I am writing

Amicable24:
@VIRTUOUSWRITES where art thou? I'm expecting your stories oo

Chapter Three

Few days after Nelson was detained in Federal Capital Territory Police Command, he was substantively charged to Municipal Magistrate Court 10 with Vera Arobadi as the judge. If there was any magistrate within the Abuja Municipal anyone wouldn’t like to appear before, it must be Mrs. Vera Arobadi. She was a fearless and uncompromising judge. There were many myths surrounding Magistrate Vera Arobadi. Story making round the town was that she had witnessed so much injustice meted against her hapless parents while growing up. Of course there were stories about sexual and physical abuses she faced as a teenage girl, the result of her past terrible experience, was now the unrepentant feminist she became. Vera Arobadi was one tough judge, difficult to buy out. Kuje and Keffi prisons were her choice places to send convicts and accused. Bail applications were rare commodity to get from her. Many lawyers hated to be in her court.

Nelson was in the dock sweating profusely as the fierce Magistrate Vera Arobadi raised up her head, adjusted her very thick eye glasses, and signaled to the Prosecuting Counsel Isiakku Gumi, a vengeance seeking police officer. The combination of the magistrate and the prosecutor seemed to be a sealed conspiracy of circumstance for Nelson as he thought deep within himself only to be jolted out of thought when he heard the judge talking to the prosecutor. “Go on, Prosecuting counsel” She said without looking up except for her gesticulating left hand which she was writing with. “Thank your lordship” Isiakku Gumi said and turned to face Nelson who was in the dock
“Nelson Oyagbaro, for how many years did you and the deceased date?” “About three years”
Nelson said falteringly. “Prior to her death, have you two ever slept together…I mean… had sexual relationship?” Isiakku asked Nelson.

At this point Nelson was deeply ashamed of himself. There in the courtroom were the people he had led to Christ and discipled in Christian faith. Those who have been blessed of the Grace of God upon his life, tens of people who have sent words of encouragement to him while at the police station with show of solidarity, some of the church members of the most popularly assembly in the nation’s capital, The Street Church. Nelson couldn’t say anything. He was tongue-tied. “I put it to you again, Mr. Nelson, prior to Sandra’s death, did you two ever had sex?
Nelson had to give answer. He had been warned by his counsel not to do anything that will get Magistrate Vera Arobadi angry. He thus answered truthfully with element of regret in his tone. “Yes”. Just as Nelson had anticipated, the looks on the people said it all; their disappointments to the realization of the fact that he was sleeping with Sandra. He could not bring himself to look at their faces anymore. He was subdued. “Like how many times?” Isiakku Gumi continued. However, Nelson’s counsel and a bosom friend, Barrister Tunde Medutoni objected. Nelson sighed with a relief. “Objection, my lord!”

It did not take the Magistrate time to respond to the chagrin of the people in the courtroom, including bewildered and subdued Barrister Tunde Medutoni.

“Objection overruled! Magistrate Arobadi gracefully pointed to the Prosecuting Counsel.
“You may go on”.

“Thank you, your lordship” Isiakku bent his head slightly in veneration and continued the cross examination. "So, Mr. Nelson, like how many times did you sleep with her? He asked again. Nelson, sensing there was no more dignity to display, started loosening up to answer to his manly best. “I can’t tell”, Nelson replied.

“Meaning you both have been having sexual activities in your relationship often and often?”
He deliberately dragged the last word, ‘often’ in derision, thereby making mockery of the accused in the dock. Nelson summoned courage and managed to answer, although with some trepidation, " yes ".

“When last did you have sex with the deceased?”
Prosecuting counsel continued. Nelson who was at this point nervous was sweating. He didn’t know the direction the pendulum would swing, albeit, he was determined to be truthful throughout the court sessions. He was more determined to lay bare before God he has come to know since early teenage years.

“I don’t know.”
“This Year?”
Isiakku pressed him further to which he answered in affirmation.
“Yes”

“My Lord, according to the statement the accused made at the Police station, he said the day Ms. Sandra Omotoun Ajayi was assassinated they had a phone conversation that degenerated into hot argument. The issue discussed bothered on their strained relationship and about getting married soon. The deceased wanted them to have their wedding within few weeks while he was not ready for the wedding within weeks. My lord, after the phone conversation, the accused here sent the deceased sms thus ‘If you are not going to agree with me, then I have my own way of doing things’. This message came in to the phone of the deceased on the Wednesday, 24th of February, 2010 as at exactly 4:55 pm and the deceased was confirmed dead on that same at 6:19 pm which means that…”

Isiakku was about submitting when the defense counsel raised objection.
“Objection my lord!”
Barrister Tunde Sanda bemoaned with anxiety for his client’s sake. However, Magistrate Vera Arobadi was no deterred.
“Objection overruled”
Magistrate Vera said without looking up from what she was writing.
“Prosecuting Counsel, go on”, she said to the disappointment of Barrister Tunde, Nelson and a few others in the courtroom.

“Thank you my lord, it means the accused may be responsible for the death of the deceased. Also, it was confirmed medically that the deceased died with a three week pregnancy. The accused also confessed here that he and the deceased were engaged in sex prior to her assassination, definitely it must have been because of the pregnancy that the accused here murdered his fiancée so that his image will not be tarnished. I rest my case”, Isiakku finally submitted and gracefully took his seat.

To the average mind, it was a nail on the coffin, sealing a death sentence for Nelson. He was so much in confusion. He cursed within his breath the day he met Sandra and offered to be a Good Samaritan. He cursed the day he asked her out. He regretted all that had to do with Sandra Omotoun Ajayi. He was in pensive mood only to be jolted by the question asked by the judge.

“Defense Counsel, do you have anything to say?”
Tunde braced up to defend his client, friend and of course, his benefactor. He was ready to do everything possible to help Nelson though he was not certain what will be outcome. He had had private conversation with Nelson a day before his arraignment in the court. The case is just dicey. He couldn’t tell whether Nelson told him the truth he needed to know or not. He was sure Nelson wouldn’t have killed Sandra.
“Thank you my lord. I stand before this honourable court to say, some parts of what the prosecuting counsel here have said are untruth. The fact that my client and the deceased who was his fiancée used to have sex does not guarantee my client is responsible for the pregnancy the deceased was carrying and …”
He was still saying when the prosecuting counsel raised objection.
“Objection my lord!”

To the bewilderment of all, the objection was sustained by the Magistrate. Tunde didn’t see it coming. He was disappointed but tried as much as possible to hide his feelings of disappointment. It was really a lucky day for the prosecuting Counsel Isiakku Gumi as things were going his way. He had anticipated having the case in his way to score more points as leverage for promotion. “I think there is need to substantiate the evidence that he is innocent. That will be all, my lord”, Isiakku submitted and took his seat.

Magistrate Vera Arobadi looked up and adjusted her glasses. It was time to address the court in session. “The defense counsel, I can see that you have no proof to defend the accused, instead, you are trying to prove what is not necessary. It will be proper to do your homework before coming to defend anyone in this court. I hereby adjourn this case till 13th April, 2010. Both the defense counsel and the prosecuting counsel should check your diary.”

Isiakku and Tunde quickly checked their diary and communicated the judge through her clerk for confirmation and approval. “The case is adjourned to 13th April, 2010 while the accused be remanded in the prison, I rise!”

That was it. That was the end of the hearing that day. Nelson was taken back to Kuje Prison. He was sad, very sad. He was already losing sympathy of people that held him in high esteem. The leadership of The Street Church was terribly disappointed. Pastor and Dr. Mrs Jooni had promised to secure his bail at the first hearing of the bail application which was denied by Magistrate Arobadi.

Amicable24:
Hmmm, this your story is deep!

But why's everyone pointing accusing fingers at Nelson just because he was last seen with Sandra??

Who killed Sandra Omotoun Ajayi

Sir, please continue with the story o.. I want to know where this suspense is heading to One more thing, I noticed some typographical errors here and there.. Please work on that sir. Thank you

CHAPTER THREE

The entire congregation Sandra belonged to was thrown into mourning of no lesser degree. It was a long night since the news broke that she was murdered in her house. That night some members trooped to the church premises to mourn her. Some had trailed her body to the medical center where it was deposited to the morgue pending autopsy. Those who were within church premises resorted to singing heavenly conscious songs they had not sung in a long while. They kept vigil till the dawn. Sandra, to most church members, was a quiet, spirit-filled and greatly talented sister. She was a great encourager and has helped a lot sisters with her great ability to counsel people that has won her respect at her age. It was like wisdom has a permanent residence in her. She was always referred to as sister ‘small but mighty’. She did not keep any close friend but was friendly all her acquaintances. The only person known to be closer to her was Dr. Ruth Jooni. Dr. Ruth had loved Sandra from the first day met and befriended her as younger sister she never had. Not too many people knew they were not related by blood. Who could have killed Sandra was what was on the lips of distraught church members within ranks and files.

At day break, some members had to leave church premises to prepare for work while some poured in to sympathize. condolence registers were opened at some designated places within the church hall. Many were emotions poured on the registers. By afternoon the Board of Ministers of The Street Church where she was a member and staff had convened a meeting following the gruesome assassination Sandra. Tempers ran high with sentiments. The Board was at dilemma to turn in Nelson who has been suspected to have killed his fiancé of about three years. Nelson couldn’t believe what was being said to his face.

Sandra and Nelson had met five years ago as students. Nelson Oyagbaro was a final year anthropology student at the University of Ibadan and a campus pastor, gifted with oratory and seamless delivery of the word of God when preaching. He was truly a young man who truly knew how to craft words that could make his hearers spellbound with his baritone voice. His understanding of the Bible with life applications made him to stand out in his league. Right from his secondary school days, in the second year, he has been exposed to the gospel. He was committed to the things of God that he started functioning in leadership positions of the school fellowship from the third year. He carried on unwavering until he finished his secondary school education and gained admission to the university. One thing has always been on his mind, to serve God and walk in His way. It was this that brought him opportunity to meet Sandra.

Sandra Omotoun Ajayi was a third year student of Microbiology, University of Ilorin when she first met Nelson. It was a meeting of a life that would be cut short by mistrust and betrayal. Sandra was raised by her single mom. She was a love child that never knew her dad. She knew little about her biological father and this made her to seek solace in the heavenly Father, the father of the fatherless. This experience permeated most of the songs she wrote. She had written songs that included, ‘ There's a Day Called Tomorrow', ‘He Who Feeds The Sparrows' and ‘Father’s Outstretched Arms'. Nelson had been invited by Unilorin Christian Fellowship to minister during one of its program. The event was one that the fellowship members would not forget easily. The music was great that evening. Sandra transported the attendees to another realm through worship as the worship leader. The tempo was sustained as Nelson’s baritone voice thundered through the P.A system to bring forth the word of life. Many came out to receive Christ for the first time. There were cult members who openly renounced their memberships. That was the first time they met, although, nothing seemed to have struck their minds about relationship as Sandra was just one of the sisters seated at the choir stand and Nelson, on the podium. However, Nelson took mental note of her as a talented music minister that he may never come across and until they met three years later at Elim Medical Center, Lesotho Crescent, Central Area Abuja.

Sandra had been posted to the FCT for her NYSC year and deployed to serve with Elim Medical Center but was not accepted due to non-availability of vacancy for her. However, her joy knew no bounds to see Nelson for the second time in the space of five days which she considered as furtive. She had actually seen Nelson about five days ago while at NYSC camp in Kubwa. She had led worship that Wednesday but the guest speaker did not arrive in time to minister. When Nelson came in, he was with some security details as customary to some modern pastor of well established community church. Sandra was wowed and was glad to see that handsome man again. It has been three long years they last crossed path from afar. She was not ready to accept that it is better from afar. She was crushing. Of course, she has been crushing the first day but opportunity has always eluded her.

Nelson apologized profusely for coming into the NCCF meeting a bit late blaming it on the ongoing construction work going on Kubwa express way. He delivered the message thrilling them spiritually. He left from the podium. Sandra couldn’t see him because of the many security details attached to him. He saw him entering his exotic Toyota Prado SUV, chauffeured away. She was disappointed, however happy to know that Nelson lived in Abuja where she would be spending the next one year of her life and possibly the rest of her life because of the alluring features of the capital city. Nelson couldn’t know she was in the congregation. The picture of her that he had on his mind was a faded one. Since he joined the staff of The Street Church, one of the fastest growing community churches in the city, he has met quite a number of sisters he could marry but non appealed to him like Sandra whose picture was already faded in his memory. But for Sandra, she had taken time to gather intelligence about the location of the church Nelson was pastoring and vowed to make strategic presence like Ruth if for nothing, just to be a member of The Street Church did.
So that afternoon, at EMC, Nelson had gone to visit a high profiled member of the Church whose wife just put to bed on the instruction of his Senior Pastor. That was how they ran into each other by providence. Nelson noticed the girl in NYSC uniform was all smiles. He had taken her to probably be one of the church members. This was a common happenings. He wouldn’t want to look pompous to church members who held him in highest esteem. He was one Christian who loved to practice what he preached. However, being single not yet married, he was mindful of scandals as well. After exchanging pleasantries, Sandra went on to introduce herself, establishing Unilorin fellowship factor in her introduction. He was glad to have met her again. He commented on her dexterity and her worship leading prowess. He was however sorry for not being able to secure a placement at EMC, the foremost and most expensive private medical center in the city.

Few minutes later, they were together in the church office located on Bishop Ajayi Crowder Drive, Wuse District. Sandra had told him her problem with primary place of assignment (PPA) and other concerns. They bonded immediately, sparking off passion to be together within few hours of meeting, discussing ministry, church and Nigeria’s future outlook in the face of the spate of militancy in the Niger-delta. Sandra agreed to join the church days later as encouraged by Nelson that it will help her find more expression for the gifting of God. He also promised her to talk to the Senior Pastor if she could be given a place to serve within the church while she joined the choir.

Two weeks later, Sandra was surprised to have mouthwatering offer from The Street Church in terms of pay and peck. The offer afforded her a place to do her primary assignment (PPA), accommodation and a car. Sandra did well, leading worship at The Street Church, a 10,000 membership based assembly in the nation’s capital, Abuja. That was how Nelson met Sandra. All of the memories came rushing to him. Of a truth, he had some disagreements with Sandra the day she was killed. He never anticipated it to be the last time he would be speaking with the woman he loved. He had been invited by the Board of the Ministers, the statutory and highest governing body of the Church he worked with as an Assistant Pastor (Admin & Operations) that was considered next to the Senior Pastor and Founder of the Street Church. At the meeting were Bitrus Bako, a retired General from the Nigerian Army; Jude Nwokike, an accomplished real estate magnate; Pastor Dr. (Mrs.) Ruth Jooni, a medical doctor and the wife of the Senior Pastor, Austin Jooni. Nelson was totally at loss. The last 24 hours have been too harrowing for him as he thought deep within only to be jotted into reality by Mo Jooni’s jabbering.

“I never knew you were like this …I used to think you are …oh dear God …I can’t just believe you did this and …you know how much I like you…your dedication to the church… and you know how much she meant to us too, yet, you decided to murder my sister in cold blood, what kind of a human being are you?” Ruth Jooni said amidst tears. Senior Pastor Austin Jooni passed her wife tissue paper to soak in her sobs. He definitely looked grieving too. The death of Sandra seemed to have taken tolls on him and his ministry as he sighed amidst shaking his head a dozen time on impulse.
“This is hard to believe, I hope this is not true of you…Pastor Nelson” General Bitrus Bako said calmly but with somber authority. “No, no … just leave him, see the way he is crying as if he is innocent, am very sure God will not forgive you for this which you have done. I know the two of you were dating but why would you kill her. Both of you were seen together yesterday in her apartment. Less down 2 hours later, she was found dead” Jude Nwokike bloated with anger and disdain, typical of him. “It is very disappointing that you are being fingered in the killing of Sandra”, Pastor Austin Jooni said calmly. “What could have transpired that motivated you for this heinous act…? You are just impossible…”He concluded with demure.
Nelson was greatly agitated. It seemed all fingers were pointing to him as the killer. He tried to use his last lifeline as a defense to wriggle out of the lulu. Yes just one more time to attract sympathy of the members of the Board of Ministers interrogating him. “I didn’t kill her” He said, crying profusely. “How could I have? It was true we had a misunderstanding over an issue and we couldn’t resolved it that afternoon and I left. Later we had a phone conversation on the same issue but could not resolve. Few minutes over I was called to be notified of her death and nothing more” Nelson explained, sniffing.

Ruth Jooni banged the Boardroom table with her fist with so much anger and grieve, losing her temper and raised her voice a bit higher.
“It shouldn’t have been you…I am greatly disappointed …see, let me tell you something, it is not always written on the forehead whether you are a good person or you are a bad person, but I bet it with you that for this which you have done, you will definitely pay for it… yes you will”
Just as Ruth Jooni was calming down, one of the protocol officers attached to the office of the Senior Pastor came to whisper a message to the Senior Pastor Austin Jooni. “Okay ….okay, let them in”He said loudly and he continued. “I have just been told that the men have arrived”

They all sighed. Two detective walked.
“You are welcome and this is the deceased's fiancé who was seen last with her before the murder …you may go with him…its rather painful we lost one to murder and now losing another to detention… I will be right after you Nelson to see how you can be helped…be of good courage” General Bitrus Bako said with his usual candor pointing Nelson to the men from State Criminal Investigation Department. They showed Nelson the way out of the Board room into the waiting police vehicle parked within the Church premises. There were a few church workers and members watching with grieve the unfolding event of the last 24 hours, bring to mind the day Jim Baker was arrested at PTL's Heritage USA.

To be continued

Amicable24:
I really don't get you sir.. Do you mean only the links should be posted or something.. Can you please simplify

CHAPTER TWO

Sandra was lost in thought after the call she made to Nelson. She buried her face in the throw pillow she held in hand with tears streaming down torrentially. Suddenly there was a blackout in her apartment. She wondered how she could be having power outage while the neighborhood has power supply. As she made to see what could have happened to power supply, the door of her sitting room flung open by two mean looking men.

“It is nice to have a date with Sandra Ajayi, the girl with a golden voice!” The taller man said in derisions, pointing a gun at her. She was literally shaking and trembling with a messed thought.

“Please don’t kill me… I beg you in the name of God…please have mercy” was all she could summoned a little courage to plead with fret and total submission. The men were there to carry out their enterprise and nothing seemed not to dissuade them from their sole mission of that evening.

“We are not here to steal or to kill or to destroy. Do you understand?” The other man said mockingly as the taller one burst into hysterical laughter. “Thank you sirs…God will bless you…thank you sir”

Sandra thanked them in desperations as she knelt down searching for a reprieve from their faces. Unfortunately, their souls have been metamorphosed into steel as not a few have fallen from their tools of dead.

“However…I repeat however”
The shorter one said raising his right forefinger up as Sandra was thrown into another panic mode. “However”, he continued, “Sandra Omotoun Ajayi, our task is to punish your act of disobedience. And for your insubordination, this is what you get”, he said with malicious grin.
The taller man shot her on the forehead. She sprawled on the floor bleeding from the shot.

The men hurriedly left. Mission accomplished.
The Toyota Tundra Pickup was making exit from the Jimmy Carter Street, through Lord Lugard Street to connect with Ahmadu Bello Way in Garki as Elim Medical Center ambulance was blasting its siren on to speed toward 24, Jimmy Carter Street. As the ambulance was pulling over, the Police Quick Response Service Team (PQRST) vehicle was pulling over responding to a distress call from an unknown neighbour. Both the police and the medical team sprang into action. They dashed into the building with the stretcher.

The medical team placed the lifeless body on the stretcher while the police team was examining and observing the apartment for possible clue and lead. The lead officer jotted on his notepad.
Sandra’s corpse was carried out on the stretcher into the ambulance. Sympathizers had gathered, littering the street. The ambulance’s siren came alive snaking out the street followed by the police van.

The golden voice is gone. No more sonorous breathtaking renditions from Sandra Omotoun Ajayi. It was a close of era.

To be continued

PRIVATE CONVERSATION
Prose
All right reserved (c) 2020


CHAPTER ONE
Abuja, Nigeria

‘’No, it’s not going to work out that way’’
Sandra screamed to her Fitz Spiro branded phone angrily and cut off the call on whoever was at the other end. She paced the floor of her well furnished condo apartment too luxurious for a spinster of her age. She quietly moved to the window side facing the western direction. It has been her usual habit whenever temper ran high being a lover of nature. Sandra gazed at the setting sun as it hurried to sleep in the west; the sun was partially hiding behind the Aso mountain range. She was still so much in confusion that engulfed her tender heart; tears gushed out from her teary eyes. She didn’t notice when the streetlight came alive. She has been living on 24, Jimmy Carter Street for the past three years now. Jimmy Carter Street in Asokoro District was one of the choice highbrow areas in the capital city; its close proximity to the palatial presidential villa on one hand and the many embassies and State Governments Lodges located in the District on the other hand.

Sandra had every reason to be grateful for the great talent God bestowed on her. It was her dexterity in leading worship that got her a very lucrative job as the worship minister cum leader, superintending over a worship and mass choir of about two hundred members with an official accommodation that made her a resident of Asokoro Districts a and a Toyota corolla saloon car. Sandra read Microbiology from the University of Ilorin but her passion has been church music from the time she was a child. Still very young at 23, she has the world at her feet ministering at many conventions, conferences and evangelistic meetings not only in Nigeria but in Africa nations and indeed, across the world in the past three years of her life.

Sandra didn’t notice how long she has been there on the same spot watching the sunset. She cared less as her world was crumbling like a pack of cards, all the same, she had noticed a black Toyota Tundra pickup packed directly across the street. She wondered who could have parked it there, perhaps one of the expatriates who lived down the street as she toyed with her phone. A couple strolling down the street with their twins of about five years loved up. She chuckled and thought to her miserable self in tears, “I hope Nelson will make me happy like this fortunate woman, I just love this perfect picture...hmnn” she muttered to herself. Sandra looked at her phone and dialed Nelson’s number with some trepidations, “Why not let’s do what we want to do once and for all, time is going, I am not getting any younger". She paused to listen to the person on the other end before continuing the conversation. “Let’s just get married in a month or two or do you want to jilt me?” She moved across the room and settled on the three sitter settee. “You still don’t get it, let’s get this thing straight” She angrily said. “We just have to get married immediately whether you like it or not". She angrily cut off the line, smashing her phone on the beautifully decorated wall of her expensive living abode. “God help me. I am sinking!” She picked one of the throw pillows heaped on the Arabian rug at the center of the sitting room upon which a glass center table took rest and sobbed profusely, endlessly.

To be continued

Amicable24:
Thank you sir