A Dirty Game

Chapter Eight

65 Eight eeks later, in the start of April, people were ready to listen to the judge deliver judgement in the murder case of Williams. They also expected the deceased to be buried after the same judgment. The mayor’s two daughters were still in the States. The matter, as the mayor thought, was severe. Thus, he didn’t want his daughters to come home. They were mourning daily by phone. Close friends couldn’t understand why they didn’t come home when their brother died. Family members thought the girls were westernised, but the truth was just that the mayor feared attack on his daughters. Though the day was bright, the mayor had big stress. Whether the judge was to sentence the criminals to death by firing, wasn’t going to reverse the death of Williams. ‘If he was never satisfied with the sum, you’ve got to watch out,’ said Commissioner Kingsley as they were to leave for court that early morning. ‘I think he was satisfied,’ said Foti in response. ‘We are not still at that level.’ ‘What is the level then?’ ‘We have become business friends. He has promised to connect Kennedy to the minister of education for contracts to construct some buildings.’ ‘Good.’ ‘But that’s not important. I would like Kennedy to leave the country.’ ‘Is that?’ ‘Yes. I don’t want to miss him like Williams. I think it’s a little bit safer over there.’ ‘What about your daughters? Aren’t they coming home?’ ‘No. I have many political rivals both within and without the party. My family is a target…’ W 66 He suddenly paused and reflected. Many events seemed to have echoed in his mind. He shook his head like someone in the midst of thought torture. Then he yawned. ‘But you know those within this party that want to kick me out.’ ‘Yes,’ the Commissioner replied, ‘that’s our politics. What do you expect? If you could kick out, then you too could be kicked out.’ Fairness was rare. There was no justice felt. However, it’s like the people were getting accustomed with such a prevailing situation. Professor Hansel in one of his political pieces condemned any political move not backed by the word justice. ‘Let politics be defined as he who gains what, and how, in a struggle for power, or the seizure, consolidation and control of power. If any political undertaking goes without the application of justice and respect for human integrity in all aspects, it is a colossal abuse of power.’ Further, he explained, ‘To say there is good governance, the same people who chose the leaders should and must, according to the laws in place, enjoy the privileges… and at the same time have the full right to change their minds if the party in power proves not to meet up the task it stands for. That is what I understand to be true democracy and freedom.’ In some other writings, Hansel condemned African political systems and their leaders for dishing the dividends of democracy only to those who protect their stay in power. To him, ‘any political action not felt by a common needy man, whether he supports them or not, but only by the administrators, is an exploitative step and an abuse of the human ego.’ Thus, people like the mayor, for sure, would hate people like Hansel because his approach to politics seemed different. 67 * * * * Before their arrival in court, many people had taken seats expecting the judgment they thought would be calamitous to the criminals. The population was twice the previous hearing. Perchance, there were high speculations that the judgment would be damaging. There was great tension. There was no doubt because the defendants never declined responsibilities. The serial number of the gun was documentary evidence which was enough proof that Grace Asong’s hand was seriously involved. It was unfortunate that she didn’t consult a lawyer for her case. For a longer time, the judge’s eyes were over the frame of his glasses and his head bent. ‘You say your mother never gave you the gun, is that correct?’ asked the judge. ‘No, sir,’ Ngo answered in a feeble voice. ‘Did your mother hear of the murder after the act?’ Ngo was silent. The other defendants had refused responding to questions. ‘Ngo, you don’t want to answer more questions,’ continued the judge. ‘Now that...