By Don Norman Obinna (Agu Ibeku)
The inmates had just concluded their ritualistic morning devotion. The provost of cell E3 (where I was detained) had directed the cell DPO to hurry inmates appearing in court to bathe and get dressed.
I was barely a week in Afara prison where the Abia State Chief Magistrate ordered my remand until April 1, 2019, for refusing to be gagged and cowed in the face of bad governance and the larger-than-life attitude of some Abia State public officeholders.
For me, it was another normal day in dungeon, hemmed in the doldrums and uncertainties.With no court appearance on the schedule for me, I reclined in my small bed, alas on tenterhooks and wouldn’t say boo to a goose.
However, an unexpected yoo-hoo—”Agu Ibeku, dress up!”—from a prison official cleared my formless wool-gathering.
But why, I asked in perplexity, because there was no pre-notice of me appearing in court that day.
“The Chief Magistrate ordered us to produce you in court with immediate effect,” he said assertively.
Before I could say jack, I was handcuffed and hastily hurled into a waiting Black Maria to the Chief Magistrate Court.
As I alighted from the Black Maria and suantered into the courtroom straight to the dock in uncertainty, I felt a grip on my shoulder.
I turned to behold an imposing figure smile at me and whisper, “I am here for you.”
He added assuringly, “I will get you out of the prison today.”
The authority that accompanied the assurance and the passion in his eyes were soothing enough to elicit a roaring laughter from me.
He was none other than Ken Ahia, SAN. He heard of my incarceration and took up the case pro bono, albeit there was an impendiment.
As a mark of honour, senior advocates do not appear before magistrates.
So as he was trying to arrange a proxy, the state’s attorney leveraged the albatross to include kidnapping to the existing charges and I was returned to the prison with an extended date to the dismay of Barr. Ahia, SAN.
I was overwhelmed with despondency as I alighted from the Black Maria into my cell. To cheer me up, follow inmates quickly brought out musical instruments and sang and danced life back to my dejected soul.
Rekindled, I responded to the sound of the flute with my okombo steps. However, another bellow halted the entertainment just as it was about to get frienzier.
“Don Norman, you have a visitor,” the prison official informed me.
He could notice the disenchantment and scowls on inmates’ faces for abruptly halting music that had gotten to a crescendo.
Nevertheless, I reluctantly wore my shirt and sauntered to the visitor’s room to attend to the univited guest.
To my bewilderment, it was Barr. Ahia, SAN. His visitation humbled me the more. His facial expression revealed his disappointment.
I couldn’t fathom his dismay since I paid him no dime to take up my case. But that is Ken Ahia for you. He even dropped a substantial amount of money for me before leaving.
A long story short, Barr. Ahia SAN, argued and secured my bail before Justice Chijioke when the Ministry of Justice lawyer wanted me to stay without bail. He also got the international press institute in Paris involved.
As the saying goes, the rest is history. Several Abia citizens have benefited from his unsolicited legal representation and swift response to government bullying and unjust incacerations.
I still recall his swift response to Barr. Empero Ogbonna’s arrest and prolonged incaceration when I called him. Munachimso Offor also relived his commitment and support in the release of Barr. Empero.
There’s nothing sinister for a lawyer to seek redress in court over what he perceives as unjust infringement on his reputation.
But a simple ‘I am sorry’ would have sufficed and calmed frayed nerves. Ken Ahia is a successful legal luminary with expanded well-to-do clientele.
So, it is laughable to insinuate or assume that pecuniary reward was the motive behind the defamatory cases he filed against a few young Abians.
No! Far from it. Senior advocates wield some judicial influence. It takes the one who seeks peace, truce and consensus to call his perceived offender before seeking redress in court.
One good example of this narration is the matter involving Boborisky, Very Dark Man and the Falanas.
If only his accusers had patiently engaged him in fruitful conversations, dialogued and arrived at a consensus when he called, I bet, there wouldn’t have been litigations. Can Ken Ahia SAN forgive and drop the cases? Oh yes! You can take it to the bank.
