₦airaland Forum

Saleslourd:
Good evening Nairaland family. I’m Saleslourd some of you know me from my threads, but today I’m telling EVERYTHING. From before it all happened to how I got here. No lies, no exaggeration just my life exactly as it went down.

Before Yaba, before the trouble I was already hustling. I’d help people find winter wears at the markets and get commission from the shops. It was a new market back then, not many people knew about it, so I was the go to guy for anyone looking to buy. I also ran errands, carried loads you name it, I did it. We called ourselves ‘Osa Yia’ Igbo for hustlers, from what I know.

Then my world changed. My dad passed, and my mom was diagnosed with diabetes foot ulcer her left foot was decaying, she couldn’t walk anymore. It all fell on me. I was 19, naive, but I’d do ANYTHING to make money and take care of her. Nothing devilish just work hard.

One day, a man I knew a regular who always paid me the best called me over. I just got this shop he said. I don’t like the roll gate, want to change it. Help me carry this old one away I’ll follow you I said yes he’d never let me down before.

The gate was heavy iron real work to carry. I was sweating, focused on not dropping it, when someone tapped me from behind. I turned, annoyed and the next thing I heard was ‘YOU’RE TAKING THIS WHERE?!’ I spun around to point at the man who hired me but he was GONE. Vanished into thin air.

I tried to explain
A man paid me to carry this, he wanted to change his gate!
But they wouldn’t listen. Immediately they claim doors had been missing from the complex for weeks, and I was the one stealing them. Then the beating started. People I’d had misunderstandings with, guys who wanted to hire me but I said no because of how they acted they all joined in, chanting ‘THIEF!’ They dragged me around the market, everyone taking turns to hit me. By the end, my face was so swollen I looked like a Chinese man couldn’t see straight, could barely talk.

They took me to ‘Iya oja" at her trust shop. She looked at me like I was the worst criminal alive and said I should be taken to Area C police station. She even followed us and paid the police to make sure ‘justice was done’ said I was ‘against the government’. There was no escape. Nobody would help me.

After 3 days in the station, I was charged to court. I was shaking so bad when they called my name. I’d never been in a courtroom before. The prosecutor and police officer called me a ‘long-time criminal’, said I’d been stealing gates for months. The judge asked me what I had to say – I had no lawyer, my mom couldn’t make it, so I defended myself. Told them everything exactly how it happened and pleaded NOT GUILTY.

The case was adjourned, and I was sent to Ikoyi Prison with no bail option. I spent 20 days there.

This is exactly one of the reason we started John 8. If I tell you the number of cases we have handled and still handling till this moment, tears will run down your cheeks.

All I can say is, learn to say NO. That no is on caps. Don't joke with it.

Know who your friends are before you seat with them to break a meal or share a drink. If they or someone you know or don't know bring a deal or involves you, seek to know what the entire deal it all about. You might just be their fall guy. Someone the police will gladly use to end investigation. If you be you and others at large, when the matter gets to court.

Some persons have been languishing for years in prison for a matter that will ordinary not attract more than two years in prison.

I am saying this mainly to my Arewa brother who bearly understand English and those naive JJC who just arrived Lagos and Ibadan. Especially those drivers and dispatch riders. Many are, today, suffering for what they know little or nothing about.

For some others, it was because they simply reconnected with their friends from Secondary or University days without caring to investigate who that friend is presently. Dem go involve you ooo. But na you fit help them go prison. Such case is a case of illegal possession of fire arms that I am presently defending some folks.

May God nor allow dem catch us on top shit wen we nor shit. Amen.

I wish we had the resources to expand the services of John 8, so that we can help more people. But I am certain that with time, God will provide us with enough to cover the entire 36 states and perhaps the whole of Africa.

I'll never understand this idea of pleading guilty.

It's like a university lecturer that knows you wrote well, but for some sentimental reasons, won't score you an A.

If the prosecution can't prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, why should a judge pressure you into that guilt plea.

Not you're an exconvict for life.
You're a registered criminal.

He knows the implication of this, he should have let you go and sin no more, as per first offender...or a 19yr old.

Ishilove:
You seem particularly interested in homosexuality.

Goes with the territory. An elephant in the room.
In prison they have exactly same konji as people outside but no human outlet or even human touch, except fellow men!

comodo:
It's called Oso afia. More like a hustler. They own no shop but they can sell things to you and the shop owner won't cough. Most times they will come with the customer to a shop and even claim ownership of the shop. Get the deal thru, the customer pays. They get their cut and everyone is happy. All shop owners do know them and trust them.

MrSly:
The Right word is 'oso ahia' someone who acts as middelman between Business owners and costomers who really do not know their wat about in the market. The oso ahia guys Gets Commission for goods brought through him.

OgideAgu:
It's actually Oso ahia...meaning market arrands
Onye oso ahia....market arrand boy.
God bless your hustle.

Thanks guys

MyExpression:
I'll never understand this idea of pleading guilty.

It's like a university lecturer that knows you wrote well, but for some sentimental reasons, won't score you an A.

If the prosecution can't prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, why should a judge pressure you into that guilt plea.

Not you're an exconvict for life.
You're a registered criminal.

He knows the implication of this, he should have let you go and sin no more, as per first offender...or a 19yr old.

So it is better to stay years in prison and possibly get killed there??

dalitigator:
This is exactly one of the reason we started John 8. If I tell you the number of cases we have handled and still handling till this moment, tears will run down your cheeks.

All I can say is, learn to say NO. That no is on caps. Don't joke with it.

Know who your friends are before you seat with them to break a meal or share a drink. If they or someone you know or don't know bring a deal or involves you, seek to know what the entire deal it all about. You might just be their fall guy. Someone the police will gladly use to end investigation. If you be you and others at large, when the matter gets to court.

Some persons have been languishing for years in prison for a matter that will ordinary not attract more than two years in prison.

I am saying this mainly to my Arewa brother who bearly understand English and those naive JJC who just arrived Lagos and Ibadan. Especially those drivers and dispatch riders. Many are, today, suffering for what they know little or nothing about.

For some others, it was because they simply reconnected with their friends from Secondary or University days without caring to investigate who that friend is presently. Dem go involve you ooo. But na you fit help them go prison. Such case is a case of illegal possession of fire arms that I am presently defending some folks.

May God nor allow dem catch us on top shit wen we nor shit. Amen.

I wish we had the resources to expand the services of John 8, so that we can help more people. But I am certain that with time, God will provide us with enough to cover the entire 36 states and perhaps the whole of Africa.

Amen!
Thanks 4 sharing this. Is it John 8 from the Bible?
You guys are doing God's work.
Keep up the good work

jidxin:
hmmmmn

Hmmmmm is right. His profile picture definitely doesn't say 22

QuinQQ:
Ehm, see below

Please Igbos what does "oso yia" mean?

"Oso ahia" a person , a business man who sells in a market place either. He's a seller but doesn't have a shop.
He makes his sells by bringing in a customer to buy from he who owns a shop, his own pay(interest) is always from the accesses from the buyer . Some times they wedge a customer in one place and use the slang " let me bring it from my parking store".

Chilota2:
"Oso ahia" a person , a business man who sells in a market place either. He's a seller but doesn't have a shop.
He makes his sells by bringing in a customer to buy from he who owns a shop, his own pay(interest) is always from the accesses from the buyer . Some times they wedge a customer in one place and use the slang " let me bring it from my parking store".

"Let me bring it from my parking store"
Igbos are something else
But OP specifically said "OSO YIA"

QuinQQ:
So it is better to stay years in prison and possibly get killed there??

Get a bail and proceed to trial.

All these government-provided Defence Lawyers don't like putting in the work for their assigned cases. They want a fast judicial process at the detriment of the accused.
They are usually not willing to go on trial on their meagre or non-existent government funds.

MyExpression:
Get a bail and proceed to trial.

All these government-provided Defence Lawyers don't like putting in the work for their assigned cases. They want a fast judicial process at the detriment of the accused.
They are usually not willing to go on trial on their meagre or non-existent government funds.

"Get a bail and proceed to trial."
With what money??!

Lanretoye:
This one is a writer,you tried sha…it was looking real until the judge came to the prison frequently and told you that you are a writer,gave you computer to operate and all that bullshiiis…

I just quit after those lines and came to the comments section 😂

QuinQQ:
Amen!
Thanks 4 sharing this. Is it John 8 from the Bible?
You guys are doing God's work.
Keep up the good work

Yeah! About the meeting between Jesus Christ, the accusers and the woman. It's about second chances. And doing some good where we can within the ambit of the law.

We represent and rehabilitate then try to integrate back to their respective religious faith. Give them something to believe about God.

People don't really have time for God until deep shitty trouble comes along, and then they get to see what the author of " Man search for meaning" saw when he wrote that book.

dalitigator:
Yeah! About the meeting between Jesus Christ, the accusers and the woman. It's about second chances. And doing some good where we can within the ambit of the law.

We represent and rehabilitate then try to integrate back to their respective religious faith. Give them something to believe about God.

People don't really have time for God until deep shitty trouble comes along, and then they get to see what the author of " Man search for meaning" saw when he wrote that book.

You're doing great work.
Viktor Frankl was not a Christian though. Would have condemned John 8

QuinQQ:
Life sentence! OMG! Probably innocent person too!
Did any prisoner or male guard try to sex you. I saw a video of a Kenyan prison where some of the male inmates acted as females and were paid by other male inmates for sex!

Funny lol


No but there cases were people involved were cought and kept in a special sell together then we go look and make fun of them lol

One was a big name I our prison church always chacing people with smelly clothes that made people make fun of them the more 😅

Lanretoye:
This one is a writer,you tried sha…it was looking real until the judge came to the prison frequently and told you that you are a writer,gave you computer to operate and all that bullshiiis…

Lol

He came but once to visit me in prison.

we kept meeting when I go to clean the court environmentas per community service.

ceejayluv:
Did you ever bother to look for The idiot that set you up?

Honestly NO🙂

ceejayluv:
Did you ever bother to look for The idiot that set you up?

Just like Joseph brother had to sell joseph so he could accomplish is destiny.

So different I see life now bro.

It had to happen for my betterment 🖐️

Saleslourd:
Just like Joseph brother had to sell joseph so he could accomplish is destiny.

So different I see life now bro.

It had to happen for my betterment 🖐️

It's All good sha.... Forgiveness is Divine.

Saleslourd:
Funny lol


No but there cases were people involved were cought and kept in a special sell together the we go look and make fun of them lol

One was a big name I our prison church always chacing people with smelly clothes that made people make fun of them the more 😅

I don't see how it is funny. You were a scrawny teenager thrown in there with muscular grown men. Some bound to see you as fresh meat

QuinQQ:
You're doing great work.
Viktor Frankl was not a Christian though. Would have condemned John 8

Well! He was a fantastic author regardless.

QuinQ:
I don't see how it is funny. You were a scrawny teenager thrown in there with muscular grown men. Some bound to see you as fresh meat

I'm a loner the strict kind

No single details in my story is made up.


I am sharing my dark experience.

100% real,.... everything

Wow! What a story? Sorry about all you went through. I have some questions and advice for you.

1. After you were released from the prison, did you eventually find out about the man that gave you the work to carry the gate for him. Did he do it deliberately to implicate you (I doubt though, because you mentioned that he's your customer? How did he disappear? Did you try to go get it all settled with the market authority naming the man?

2. That man, the Judge is a very good person (an Angel) that took special interest in your case...
Based on experience, he could sense your innocence from your narration of the entire events in the court room. NEVER EVER FORGET HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN YOUR LIFE.
(a)He took his time out of his very busy schedule as a judge to visit you in prison
(b) He advised you on what you can do to be free on time despite not having a lawyer, else you could have wasted in jail for10, 15, 30, or 40 years without concluding your case just as many innocent people have experienced in Nigerian prisons
(c) He gave you the first opportunity to discover a hidden talent in you... He encouraged you to try it even when you never ever thought it was possible for you, because you had hitherto never touched a PC
(d) He still gave you stipends daily for doing the tasks, no matter how small
(e) And at the end of the 30 days community service you did, he packaged a special gift (₦30,000 for you in an envelope
(f) He didn't stop at the bulk money he gave you, he gave you direction like a mentor will do guiding you on how to run the adverts for the Winter jackets using the writing skills you've just learnt within those 30 days that has made you the SalesLourd brand that you are today
(g) Lastly, I want to believe that he must have also prayed for you (though you didn't mention that part) for you to have been recording mega sales and revenue/profit since the very next day and consistently up till date

3. Don't forget your other cell mates that you met in the prison (especially those that you are convinced are innocent of their accusations, and those who are now truly repentant). Find a way to reach out to them and if it's possible to set up a foundation or NGO getting supports of legal advisers and influential people to push for their legal/proper release or work out technicalities to free them on time (just as the judge advised in your case) instead of them continuing to rot in jail, to save their talent from waste so they can use those talents (as you've attested to after seeing for yourself in the prison) for the betterment of the society and for their own personal gains too,

4. This may not be compulsory, but if you feel it's a calling from God to start a ministry to liberate more people from both physical prison and spiritual prison, you can use that to serve your God Almighty that brought you out of this difficult situation.

Saleslourd:
This happened 3 years ago bro! I was 19 then, now I'm 22 And thank you for the frontpage shout would be amazing to reach more people with this story🖐️

Saleslourd:
I'm a loner the strict kind

You could be a mooner for all they care. Will loner cover your butt?

InvestSmart:
Wow! What a story? Sorry about all you went through. I have some questions and advice for you.

1. After you were released from the prison, did you eventually find out about the man that gave you the work to carry the gate for him. Did he do it deliberately to implicate you (I doubt though, because you mentioned that he's your customer? How did he disappear? Did you try to go get it all settled with the market authority naming the man?

2. That man, the Judge is a very good person (an Angel) that took special interest in your case...
Based on experience, he could sense your innocence from your narration of the entire events in the court room. NEVER EVER FORGET HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN YOUR LIFE.
(a)He took his time out of his very busy schedule as a judge to visit you in prison
(b) He advised you on what you can do to be free on time despite not having a lawyer, else you could have wasted in jail for10, 15, 30, or 40 years without concluding your case just as many innocent people have experienced in Nigerian prisons
(c) He gave you the first opportunity to discover a hidden talent in you... He encouraged you to try it even when you never ever thought it was possible for you, because you had hitherto never touched a PC
(d) He still gave you stipends daily for doing the tasks, no matter how small
(e) And at the end of the 30 days community service you did, he packaged a special gift (₦30,000 for you in an envelope
(f) He didn't stop at the bulk money he gave you, he gave you direction like a mentor will do guiding you on how to run the adverts for the Winter jackets using the writing skills you've just learnt within those 30 days that has made you the SalesLourd brand that you are today
(g) Lastly, I want to believe that he must have also prayed for you (though you didn't mention that part) for you to have been recording mega sales and revenue/profit since the very next day and consistently up till date

3. Don't forget your other cell mates that you met in the prison (especially those that you are convinced are innocent of their accusations, and those who are now truly repentant). Find a way to reach out to them and if it's possible to set up a foundation or NGO getting supports of legal advisers and influential people to push for their legal/proper release or work out technicalities to free them on time (just as the judge advised in your case) instead of them continuing to rot in jail, to save their talent from waste so they can use those talents (as you've attested to after seeing for yourself in the prison) for the betterment of the society and for their own personal gains too,

4. This may not be compulsory, but if you feel it's a calling from God to start a ministry to liberate more people from both physical prison and spiritual prison, you can use that to serve your God Almighty that brought you out of this difficult situation.

Very thoughtful and erudite. Kudos.
OP could have made up the story though. He said he's 22, see his profile picture below. Even football age no fit cover this one!😅

Saleslourd:
No single details it my story is made up.


I am sharing my my experience.

100% real,.... everything

Yeah? Who is the guy in your prifile picture above?😂

QuinQ:
Yeah? Who is the guy in your prifile picture above?😂

My mentor,

Nollywood legend

Saleslourd:
My mentor,

Nollywood legend

Which Nollywood legend?
You sure that's not you??

dalitigator:
Well! He was a fantastic author regardless.

True.
He was also a Jew who didn't believe Lord Jesus had anything to do with the Messiah Israel was waiting for!

QuinQ:
Which Nollywood legend?
You sure that's not you??

Took them just now at the time of this post.

That's me

My humble self