LAGOS

The Lagos High Court was packed to the brim with people. Many had absolutely no personal connection to the lawsuit, but the sensational nature of the case—and the reputation of the defense attorney to whom the file had recently been reassigned—drew a massive crowd, everyone eager to witness how the drama would unfold.
Because the newly appointed defense counsel was a fresh face in this jurisdiction, curiosity was at an all-time high. Furthermore, it had been publicly announced that today's session would be the final hearing; the previous lawyer had utterly failed to present any concrete evidence, leaving the court thoroughly convinced by the opposing counsel's arguments.
Outside the courtroom, spectators stood in tight clusters, waiting for the doors to open before the judge’s arrival. In one corner, a group of young men were deeply engrossed in a debate about the case. One of them turned to his friend and said, “My friend, to be honest with you, I am completely unconvinced by the story this woman's side is telling. How on earth can a man be dead for five months, and then his widow suddenly claims to be three months pregnant? Even a child can see that this is an insult to common sense! I don't even know why they bothered bringing this to a regular court.”
The second youth replied, “Exactly! This case belongs in an Islamic Sharia court, not here. This is my third time attending, and they still haven't reached a definitive conclusion. If this were a Sharia court, it would have been settled long ago. Instead, they just swapped in another lawyer. Well, let's see what kind of intellect and legal strategy he brings to the table today.”
A third man standing beside them smiled broadly and interjected, “Wallahi, you guys are amusing. You must remember the old saying: ‘Law is the opposite of common sense.’ Where one person fails, another triumphs. Even the judge might completely overlook a critical detail that a truly brilliant lawyer will instantly uncover. Granted, he is a new lawyer here, but no one knows the depth of the intellect and wisdom God has blessed him with. Besides, it’s not like he took over the case just yesterday; it has been nearly a week since the last adjournment. In a week, a sharp mind can gather incredibly strong evidence. Even if this case were taken to an Islamic court, it would still require solid proof. So, it’s better we wish them well. Personally, wallahi, I feel immense pity for the widow. She is the youngest of the late Alhaji's wives—the third one, actually. We live in the same neighborhood, so I am very familiar with the toxic environment she endured with her senior co-wives. You know how some women can get; when driven by intense marital jealousy, there is absolutely nothing they won't resort to. I know her character well. Even though she wasn't married to Alhaji for very long, everyone in our neighborhood speaks highly of her excellent conduct. That is precisely why my gut never trusted the opposing counsel; I used to see him sneaking into our neighborhood frequently to visit the senior wives.”
The others nodded in agreement, murmuring, "May Allah expose the truth."
"Amin," he replied as they all began moving inside as the doors finally opened.
Once inside, everyone found a seat and waited in hushed anticipation for the judge to enter. Moments later, a remarkably young lawyer, who looked no older than thirty-two or thirty-three, strode into the courtroom. He was sharply dressed in his professional legal attire, his eyes shielded behind a pair of clear glasses, and a sleek brief briefcase gripped tightly in his hand.
The sheer confidence in his stride immediately commanded the attention of everyone in the room. The moment they saw him, the spectators instantly knew this was the new attorney everyone had been gossiping about. Many were visibly taken aback; they had expected to see an older, seasoned veteran, but instead, they were looking at a vibrant, sharp young man full of life.
As he approached the defense bench, he politely extended his hand to exchange pleasantries with his fellow lawyers. When he reached the final attorney at the row, he extended his hand, but after they gripped, the older man refused to let go. The young lawyer lifted his gaze to look at him. He was an older, imposing figure who clearly possessed many more years of experience. The young counsel glanced down at their joined hands, noting that the man’s grip remained firm and an arrogant smirk remained plastered across his face.
The young lawyer simply offered a calm, steady smile in return, refusing to look intimidated.
"My name is Barrister Nuhu Bajinta, though I am widely known as Barrister Bajinta," the older man announced smoothly. "I am the lead counsel prosecuting this matter—in other words, your opponent."
The young man’s smile widened gracefully. "My name is Barrister RA'EEZ HAMZA MAI WADA," he replied in a tone of absolute clarity. "I am the new defense counsel taking over this case."
Barrister Bajinta nodded patronizingly. "We welcome you to this prestigious and blessed High Court. May Allah grant you success in this profession of ours, which is filled with immense danger and grueling hard work."
"Amin, thank you," Barrister Ra'eez replied evenly.
They took their respective seats as they awaited the judge's arrival. The lawyer sitting next to Ra'eez extended his hand in a warm gesture. "My name is Barrister JABEER USMAN. I've been practicing in this court for about a year now. I want to wish you the absolute best of luck and welcome you to this court."
Ra'eez smiled warmly. "Thank you, Jabeer. May Allah grant us a peaceful environment."
"Amin," Jabeer replied.
Suddenly, the court clerk called out, and everyone stood up as the Judge made his grand entrance. Once the Judge took his seat, the entire courtroom sat down, and a heavy silence settled over the room. After completing his initial paperwork, the Judge gave the authorization for the day's proceedings to commence.
The court registrar stood up and read aloud from the case file: "Today, the fourteenth day of October, 2019, this honorable court resumes the hearing in the case involving the family of the late Alhaji Bala. The two senior wives of the deceased have filed a suit against his surviving bride, Amina, challenging the legitimacy of her pregnancy, which became apparent after their husband's demise, asserting that the child is not his. Representation for the defendant has officially transitioned from her previous legal counsel to the newly reassigned defense counsel, Barrister Ra'eez Mai Wada."
The registrar bowed respectfully and handed the official documents up to the Judge. After reviewing them, the Judge looked down at the defense bench. "Where is the new defense counsel? The court would like you to formally introduce yourself."
Ra'eez stepped forward gracefully. "My name is Barrister Ra'eez Hamza MWD, and I am the counsel taking over the defense of this case from my learned colleague."
The Judge nodded approvingly. "Very well. Prosecution, you may begin. Bismillah."
Ra'eez returned to his seat to observe. He had no intention of leading the opening argument; he preferred to sit back first and dissect Barrister Bajinta’s strategy.
Barrister Bajinta stepped confidently into the well of the court. "Your Honor, to this very moment, the defendant, Amina, has completely refused to confess to the crime she is accused of. Furthermore, she has stubbornly refused to name the individual responsible for her pregnancy. This is despite the fact that the late Alhaji’s senior wives have explicitly testified that throughout their decades of marriage to him, he was entirely incapable of siring children. In fact, it was his persistent infertility that drove him to take a third wife in the first place. Yet, even after nearly a year of marriage to Amina, her menstrual cycle was never missed once. Suddenly, three months after Alhaji's death, a pregnancy manifests. We have medical testimony from a doctor confirming that Alhaji was permanently infertile. Everyone can bear witness to the fact that this pregnancy only came to light well after Alhaji had departed this world, making it biologically impossible to be his."
Bajinta marched over to the dock where Amina stood trembling, pointing an accusing finger. "Madam Amina, by now, you really ought to open your mouth and tell us the unvarnished truth. You should stop wasting this honorable court's precious time. The most devastating evidence has been laid out right in front of you, and everyone here accepts it as fact. You need to reveal the identity of the man who impregnated you and ease the burden on this court."
Ra'eez instantly rose to his feet. "Objection, Your Honor! It is entirely improper for counsel to browbeat and harass the defendant. Amina has the absolute right to speak the truth regarding what she knows. The mere fact that the prosecution’s witnesses have agreed upon a narrative does not mean she must be forced to validate their claims. Thank you, Your Honor."
The Judge fixed a stern gaze on Barrister Bajinta. "Counsel, rephrase your approach and watch your language."
Bajinta bowed low. "My apologies, Your Honor, it will not happen again. That concludes my opening statement for today. I respectfully urge this court to proceed with a final judgment so that the rightful heirs of the estate can finally know their fate. Thank you, Your Honor."
Ra'eez stood up, adjusting his jacket. "Your Honor, I would like to call Alhaji Kabir, the closest lifelong confidant of the deceased, to the witness stand for questioning."
Barrister Bajinta’s head snapped toward Ra'eez in utter shock upon hearing this name. Throughout the months this trial had dragged on, it had never once crossed his mind to involve the deceased's best friend, because he assumed the man had absolutely no relevance to the legal dispute. Yet, out of nowhere, Ra'eez was dragging him into the center of the courtroom.
Alhaji Kabir stepped forward and took his place in the witness box.
Barrister Ra'eez: "Alhaji, the court would like to understand the exact nature of your relationship with the deceased."
Alhaji Kabir: "Well, anyone who knew Alhaji knows that he had no closer confidant on this earth than me. We grew up together. Our friendship transcended mere companionship; we were brothers. My secrets were his, and his were mine. There was absolutely nothing we hid from each other."
Barrister Ra'eez: "Throughout your lifelong brotherhood with him, did he ever once mention to you that he suffered from infertility or any reproductive health issues?"
Barrister Bajinta: "Objection, Your Honor! Barrister Ra'eez is attempting to turn back the hands of the clock. We are deep into this trial. Just because he joined the case late does not give him the right to drag us back to square one!"
The Judge: "Objection overruled. Barrister Ra'eez has every right to re-examine the foundation of this case, provided he can present evidence that will enlighten this court."
Barrister Ra'eez: —smiling calmly— "Thank you, Your Honor. Please proceed, Alhaji."
Alhaji Kabir: "The honest truth is, for as long as I knew Alhaji, he never once told me he was infertile. In fact, whenever he went for medical check-ups, we went together. Whenever he had a hospital appointment, he refused to let his personal driver take him; even if I was out of town, he would patiently wait until I returned so we could go together. The only thing I know for certain is that he deeply grieved the fact that Allah had not yet blessed him with children. That heartache was the sole reason he kept expanding his household up to three wives, hoping and praying for a miracle. We consulted numerous doctors across different hospitals, and they consistently assured us that his health was perfectly fine—it was simply a matter of divine timing. In fact, I was the one who advised him to take a third wife, thinking a new match might finally bring success. Sadly, Allah took his soul before he could see his dream realized. On the very night he passed away, I was driving back to town when he called me. I remember vividly that his voice was bursting with an overwhelming, pure joy. Even though he was physically ill at the time, his happiness was undeniable. After we greeted each other, I asked him what was making him so incredibly happy. He heard the loud traffic noise in the background and realized I was driving, so he cut the call short, saying we would speak further once I arrived safely. We never got to have that conversation; Allah took his life before I could reach him."
Barrister Ra'eez: —nodding thoughtfully— "Thank you very much, Alhaji. You may step down. Your Honor, I would now like to call Hajiya Binta, the senior wife of the deceased, for questioning."
Hajiya Binta stepped forward into the witness box, her face tightly set.
Barrister Ra'eez: "Hajiya, have you ever personally visited a hospital to undergo medical examinations to verify your own reproductive health?"
Hajiya Binta: "Of course! Alhaji and I frequently visited hospitals right here in this city, and we even traveled abroad for medical consultations. Everywhere we went, the medical verdict was exactly the same: the issue was entirely with Alhaji. The doctors explicitly confirmed to us that he could never, ever father a child. At the time, he was so devastated that he offered to grant me a divorce so I could find happiness elsewhere, but I flatly refused. Our marriage was built on the pure love of our youth, and I didn't care about having children as long as I had him. I told him back then never to blindly trust the words of doctors, because their word is not the word of God. I was the one who constantly encouraged him to take additional wives, hoping that perhaps a different woman might unlock that blessing. I am incredibly shocked to hear Alhaji Kabir claim that they went to hospitals and were told Alhaji was perfectly healthy! The truth is, Alhaji went to the hospital with his driver most of the time. Therefore, Alhaji Kabir's testimony is a complete lie."
Barrister Ra'eez: "Thank you, Hajiya. You may step down. I would now like to question the medical doctor who authored the report regarding Amina's pregnancy."
The doctor stepped forward, looking visibly uncomfortable as he took the stand.
Barrister Ra'eez: "Sir, you were the primary physician for the late Alhaji, correct?"
Doctor: "Yes, that is correct."
Barrister Ra'eez: "As his long-term physician, how is it that you never once informed him of his supposed permanent infertility while he was alive, yet the moment he passed away, you swiftly drafted a formal medical report to that effect and submitted it to this court? Furthermore, when you initially conducted the prenatal scan on Amina, how is it that you only reported the presence of a pregnancy but completely failed to detect any other medical anomalies?"
The doctor's hand flew to his forehead, nervously wiping away the beads of sweat that had suddenly broken out before he could stutter a reply. "I... I only evaluated exactly what this honorable court instructed me to assess at the time, and I presented those specific results. As for Alhaji's condition... you must understand that standard medical ethics often lean toward suppressing distressing news to preserve a patient's emotional well-being. Alhaji was an elderly, respected man who was desperately desperate for an heir. His yearning for a child was so intense that it drove him to marry three times. Seeing his profound desperation, I simply couldn't bring myself to shatter his spirit with the brutal truth while he was alive, until the legal necessity arose in this courtroom."
Barrister Ra'eez: "But the court has just heard testimony from Alhaji's closest confidant, who swore under oath that they visited multiple hospitals where Alhaji was given a completely clean bill of health."
Doctor: "Well... you see, every medical professional operates differently based on their specific diagnostic approach. Everyone knows how long I served as Alhaji's trusted physician, and he had absolute faith in my work. It wouldn't surprise me if some other doctor told him he was fine, because that is exactly what I chose to tell him as well. We doctors are in the business of saving lives and offering comfort; sometimes, we withhold a harsh truth to maintain our patient's happiness. That was my sole motivation for keeping the truth from him."
Barrister Ra'eez: "Thank you, Doctor. You may step down. Your Honor, I would now like to call IYA, the long-time domestic housekeeper of Alhaji’s residence, to the witness stand."
Hearing that name, Hajiya Binta scrambled to her feet in an absolute panic, her voice screeching across the courtroom. "Your Honor! Iya left our employment a very long time ago! Long before Alhaji even passed away, she vanished from the house completely, claiming she could no longer work for us! It has been nearly seven months since she left that house!"
The Judge slammed his gavel heavily against the bench. "Order! Keep your mouth shut! This is a court of law, not a marketplace! Do not dare speak another word unless you are explicitly called upon!"
Hajiya Binta sank back into her seat, furiously wiping away cold sweat. She cast a desperate, frantic glance at her co-wife, Zainab. Zainab, however, was staring back at her in complete confusion, utterly unable to comprehend why Binta was unraveling so violently over the mere mention of Iya, since she believed the old housekeeper knew absolutely nothing of importance.
Iya slowly stepped into the witness box, a frail but resolute figure.
Barrister Ra'eez: "Iya, please state for the court exactly how many years you spent working as a domestic househelp in the deceased's home."
Iya: "The truth is, I worked in Alhaji's household for a very long time. Exactly one year after Hajiya Binta got married, she asked her close friend to find her a reliable househelp. She explicitly specified that she wanted an older, mature woman from a rural village, completely untainted by city life. That was how her friend traveled all the way to our village, Danja, in Katsina State, and recruited me. From that very moment, I began serving in that house. Hajiya Binta treated me with immense kindness, and I viewed her like a sister. Even though I was much older than her, I served her with absolute devotion, and she always paid my wages generously."
Barrister Ra'eez: "If the relationship was so good, how is it that you suddenly vanished from the house, as we have just heard?"
Iya lifted a trembling hand, wiping away the tears that began to stream down her wrinkled face before speaking. "The truth is... I committed a terrible crime against Amina and the late Alhaji. I have wept bitter tears of regret, but tears cannot undo the past. I desperately wanted to beg Alhaji for his forgiveness before he died, but Allah did not grant me that chance. The only solace I have is one single righteous thing I did for him, which gives me a bit of peace whenever I remember it. As I mentioned, my primary loyalty was to Hajiya Binta. Three years into her marriage, Alhaji took a second wife. Hajiya Binta’s world completely shattered, because a doctor had already privately confirmed to her that she herself was completely barren and could never bear children. I had accompanied her to that hospital visit because she trusted me completely, and she strictly ordered me to lock that secret away and never breathe a word of it to a soul. When the second wife, Hajiya Zainab, was brought into the home, she turned out to be very submissive and deeply respectful toward Hajiya Binta, which greatly eased Binta's anxieties. However, Hajiya Binta's close friend advised her never to allow Zainab to conceive a child in that house. Acting on that evil advice, we visited a notorious witch doctor who provided us with a powerful charm designed to permanently block conception."
"Every single day after we returned, I secretly laced Zainab's food with that medicine, and by God's will, she never managed to conceive. Two years later, Alhaji married Amina. She, too, was an incredibly patient, gentle, and soft-spoken woman, which initially pleased Hajiya Binta. Naturally, we immediately deployed the exact same method, systematically slipping the infertility medicine into Amina's meals as well."
"When months passed in silence without her conceiving, we completely let our guard down, assuming the medicine had worked. But what we completely failed to realize was that Amina had actually successfully conceived. I was the very first person to discover her pregnancy. Using my sharp instincts as an older woman, I subtly and cleverly questioned her about her monthly cycle. Based on her naive explanations, I instantly calculated that she was a little over a month pregnant. Acting quickly, I used my wits to manipulate her. I told her strictly not to mention a single word to Alhaji yet, claiming he would view it as a lack of modesty. I told her to let me inform Hajiya Binta first, so that Binta could break the joyful news to Alhaji, which would make him respect her even more."
"That very same day, we rushed back to the witch doctor. He gave us a powerful spell to bind Amina’s tongue so she would completely forget she was even pregnant and never mention it to anyone. He also handed us a lethal potion to forcefully abort the pregnancy. But Hajiya Binta panicked; she confessed she was terrified that an active abortion might fail or cause a public medical emergency. She decided it was safer to use a charm to 'suspend' and hide the pregnancy deep within the womb until she could figure out a foolproof way to deal with it. The witch doctor performed the ritual, and we returned home."
"From that day onward, the entire matter of Amina's pregnancy vanished as if it never existed. She completely forgot about it and never uttered a word. I even tested her on multiple occasions, but she genuinely had no recollection of being pregnant. While we were managing that, Hajiya Binta procured a slow, toxic poison designed to permanently compromise Alhaji's health. She handed it to me, and I mixed it into his food. From the very moment he consumed that meal, his health collapsed completely, and he never recovered."
"Then, one fateful afternoon, I returned from the market and walked straight toward Hajiya Binta's private quarters. What I overheard through the door struck absolute terror into my soul. She was deep in conversation with that same close friend, plotting to have me murdered! She told her friend that she didn't trust me because of my greed for money, and she feared that if someone offered me a larger sum, I would instantly turn against her. Right then and there, they finalized a plan to eliminate me the very next day. Her plan was that as soon as Alhaji died, she would return to the witch doctor to 'awaken' Amina's hidden pregnancy, framing her for infidelity to ensure she was completely stripped of her inheritance. She planned to pretend to love Zainab just long enough to use her to completely alienate Amina, and once everything was settled, she would have Zainab murdered too, leaving her as the sole, undisputed heir to Alhaji’s vast fortune."
Driven to absolute madness by this revelation, Hajiya Binta leaped to her feet, screaming, "Wallahi, she is a liar! Zainab, don't you dare believe a single word this wicked old hag is saying!"
The Judge slammed his gavel with absolute authority, forcing her back into her seat. Zainab, completely stunned, could only stare at Binta with eyes filled with deep horror, betrayal, and absolute suspicion.
Barrister Ra'eez: "Iya, please proceed with your testimony. The court is listening."
Iya: "That very afternoon, panic seized me. I stealthily slipped into my room, packed my few belongings, and fled that house like a thief in the night. Even the security guard didn't see me because he had stepped away for prayers. Before leaving the city entirely, I found a young man I trusted and had him write a formal letter on my behalf. In that letter, I laid bare the absolute truth to Alhaji: I informed him that Amina was indeed pregnant, and that the pregnancy was roughly two months along at the time. I couldn't dare tell the young boy anything more because I was terrified of being traced; I simply told him I was too ashamed to face Alhaji in person and preferred he read it in writing."
"Once the letter was sealed, I begged the boy to accompany me to the house to deliver it directly to the security guard, making sure to emphasize that it must be handed strictly to Alhaji. I stood at a safe distance and watched with my own eyes as the boy handed the letter to the guard. When the boy returned, he confirmed that the guard promised to deliver it directly to Alhaji's room, despite his severe illness."
"I wept and thanked the boy, handed him some money, and fled the city that very night. I arrived in Funtua in the dead of night, slept at the motor park, and made it to my rural village the following morning. I remained entirely ignorant of everything that transpired afterward until you, Barrister Ra'eez, showed up at my doorstep. I was utterly shattered to hear of Alhaji's death, knowing my hands were stained by the plot that killed him. I had deeply wanted to seek his forgiveness, but because I am completely uneducated and lacked western schooling, I couldn't write the full truth in that letter myself. Your sudden arrival gave me the courage and the strength to stand before the world today and bear witness to the truth, because this wicked world has completely turned its back on me."
Barrister Ra'eez: "Thank you very much, Iya. You may step down. Your Honor, that concludes my witness examinations. I would now like to present this crucial piece of evidence, which I discovered hidden inside the deceased's private quarters during a formal search conducted alongside the investigating police officer who guided me."
He held up a delicate sheet of paper. "This is a letter written entirely in the deceased's own handwriting and bearing his official signature. From the exact date he received the revelation about Amina’s pregnancy, he carefully documented the timeline. He poured his profound joy onto this paper, explicitly praying that Allah would preserve his failing health long enough for him to lay his eyes upon his own flesh and blood. He took the handwritten confession sent by Iya, pinned it together with his own notes, and hid them deep within a secret compartment at the very bottom of his desk drawer. God in His infinite mercy guided my eyes to find it, because every other standard document in that drawer had already been thoroughly cleared out by those trying to erase the truth."
Ra'eez stepped forward and formally handed the documents to the court registrar. "Your Honor, that concludes the defense's submission. I respectfully implore this honorable and exalted court to deliver swift justice against those who ruthlessly oppressed Amina and the deceased, and to severely penalize the medical practitioner who chose to weaponize lies for profit. Thank you, Your Honor."
The entire courtroom erupted into a massive wave of loud murmurs and chaotic chatter. A profound sense of awe swept through the crowd; Barrister Ra'eez had completely captivated them. In the span of a single week, he had single-handedly unraveled a massive web of deceit that had completely baffled everyone for months.
Once order was fiercely restored, the Judge looked down with an icy gaze. "The court demands that Hajiya Binta, Iya, and the Doctor step forward to face the bench."
The three individuals approached the bench, their bodies completely drained of energy, their heads hanging in absolute shame. Hajiya Binta was weeping uncontrollably, knowing with absolute certainty that her life was entirely ruined.
The Judge fixed his eyes squarely on Hajiya Binta. "You have heard the overwhelming evidence presented before this court. Do you have any objections or defense against these claims?"
Shaking her head violently while wiping away streaming tears, she whimpered, "I accept everything that has been said... but wallahi, it was the handiwork of the devil! Pure greed, envy, and a lust for worldly wealth drove me to commit an abomination I had never conceived in my life. I desperately beg this honorable court for mercy and leniency."
The Judge turned his gaze to the physician. "Doctor, do you contest any of the facts laid out today?"
The doctor shook his head frantically, sweat pouring down his neck. "I accept it all, Your Honor. But wallahi, it was Hajiya Binta who bribed me with an astronomical sum of money to forge that medical report and commit perjury under oath! Please, for the sake of God, cover my shame and have mercy on me!"
The Judge's voice rang out like a thunderclap through the silent room. "This court is a sanctuary of absolute justice! Anyone who crosses this threshold does so seeking the vindication of their rights. There is absolutely no room for 'covering shame' in a court of law, because this is precisely the place where hidden evils are stripped bare before the world! Therefore, let everyone stand firmly and receive their lawful judgment."

THE VERDICT

Hajiya Binta: "You bear the absolute highest degree of guilt in this heinous conspiracy. Therefore, this court sentences you to life imprisonment, with no option of fine. Furthermore, you are ordered to pay the sum of five hundred thousand Naira (₦500,000) directly to Amina as restitution for your malicious and calculated attempt to destroy her character and reputation."
Iya: "For your active participation in this dark conspiracy, this court sentences you to life imprisonment. However, the court grants you a mitigation of hard labor, in recognition of your critical role in ultimately unraveling the conspiracy and bringing the truth to light."
The Doctor: "You have completely violated the sacred Hippocratic Oath of your profession. You chose to collude with criminals and corrupt the course of justice for monetary gain. Therefore, this court sentences you to five months imprisonment. In addition, you are ordered to pay a fine of two hundred thousand Naira (₦200,000) to Amina for your professional complicity in defaming her name."

"Finally, this honorable court extends its highest commendation to Barrister Ra'eez Hamza Mai Wada for his extraordinary, heroic, and relentless efforts in uncovering the truth within such a short timeframe. It is our sincere hope that the public takes a profound lesson from the tragic downfall of these defendants. Consequently, this court hereby completely clears Amina of all fraudulent charges, fully vindicating her..."