Chapter 9

Freedom at Last

The morning air buzzed with a tense energy, as if holding its breath. After arranging the call between Deji and Ada, barrister Okafor had left the hospital with quiet urgency, heading straight to the high court. The news of the hearing had already spread like wildfire, and anticipation gripped everyone. The final verdict on Deji’s release and Ada’s vindication felt within reach, yet each passing hour dragged painfully, stretching the suspense as the nation awaited the court’s decision. The end of their ordeal felt close—just a few more steps until freedom.

In the courtroom, barrister Okafor was in his element, moving with a confidence that only came from years of defending clients under pressure. Yet even his usual resolve was tested by a clerk with an agenda of his own. This clerk, a young man with a smirk that never seemed to leave his face, had been dragging his feet since the morning, deliberately misplacing essential paperwork as a way to stall the process. Every time Okafor requested a document, the clerk would mysteriously “forget” where he’d filed it, sometimes slipping out of the room with vague excuses.

Barrister Okafor caught on to the game quickly. The clerk was fishing for a bribe, hoping that with Friday’s early closure, the case might get pushed to Monday. If they missed today, Deji would spend another weekend in custody, and Ada would continue to live under the shadow of a warrant. With time slipping by, Okafor felt his patience thin. He had no intention of letting the system or this clerk’s corruption stand in the way.

At last, with an assertive look and carefully chosen words, Okafor confronted the clerk, making it clear that if anything was misplaced again, the clerk’s name would be the first in his complaint to the court administration. The clerk swallowed hard, muttering under his breath as he hurriedly gathered the files. Okafor wasted no time, grabbing the documents and heading into the judge’s chambers.

The courtroom was tense, but the judge, used to handling urgent cases on Fridays, moved quickly. At 1:30 p.m., the proceedings began, and Okafor argued with precision, presenting the case for Deji’s bail and the annulment of Ada’s warrant. Every point he made was concise, backed by strong evidence and the scandal’s overwhelming public backlash. He reminded the court of Deji’s deteriorating health, describing his client as a man bound not just by handcuffs but by a miscarriage of justice.

The judge listened intently, flipping through documents and raising only brief questions. When it came time to rule, he looked at Deji’s lawyer with a stern but compassionate gaze. “Mr. Okafor, given the circumstances, your client’s bail is granted, and I am vacating the warrant placed on Ms. Ada Obiora.” He hit the gavel and rosed from the bench, signaling that the case was, finally, closed.

With a nod to the judge, Okafor pulled out his phone and texted Deji and Ada a single line: “You are now free”.

As Aunty Ify returned from her shop that afternoon, Ada couldn’t contain her excitement. She rushed over, her face glowing with relief and triumph, as if the past six days of fear and uncertainty had lifted in an instant.

“Aunty Ify!” she called out, almost breathless. “The court ruled in our favor! They’re vacating the arrest warrant—and Deji… he’s finally free.”

Aunty Ify’s eyes widened as her expression shifted from surprise to pure joy. She threw her arms around Ada, squeezing her tightly. “Ah! Praise be to God! This is the best news I’ve heard all day!” She pulled back to look at Ada, her eyes bright with pride and affection. “You see? God doesn’t forget his own,” she added, her voice thick with emotion.

But Ada wasn’t done. Barely able to keep her excitement in check, she continued, “And that’s not all. Deji’s arranging a celebration tonight at the Grand Royal Hotel. He wants us there to celebrate our freedom.”

Aunty Ify clapped her hands, her face lighting up even more. “Ah! That boy sabi better thing! Look at you, Ada! This is your time to shine, o. After all the suffering, it’s your turn to enjoy.”

Ada’s face softened as she lowered her voice. “Did you hear the latest about Bala?”

Aunty Ify blinked, momentarily thrown. “Bala? What hap- pened?” She shook her head, letting out a short laugh. “With those plasma screens at the restaurant always on Nollywood, I didn’t even catch the news.”

“He’s dead,” Ada replied, the weight of it hanging in the air between them.

For a moment, Aunty Ify was silent, processing the news. Then, a wry smile curved on her lips. “Na who dig pit go still fall inside,” she murmured, nodding as if it all made sense. After a pause, she leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. “By the way, one of my police friends mentioned that Sharp Razor has been transferred to Abuja. He’s been singing like a bird— spilling everything about Bala. But now, with Bala gone, Razor is on his own.”

“They dug the pit,” Aunty Ify said, her tone solid and satisfied.

Ada nodded, a spark of finality in her gaze. “And they’ll swim in it,” she replied, her voice quiet and resolute.

As the two prepared for the evening’s celebration, there was an unspoken understanding: this night would mark the beginning of something new, a chance to reclaim their joy.

 

Meanwhile, in Abuja, a very different scene unfolded at the Force Headquarters. Adebayo sat rigidly before the stern faces of the disciplinary panel, his mind numb from the day’s events. The panel members didn’t hold back, each statement hitting him like a fresh blow, reminding him of the weight of the scandal he could no longer escape.

With no room for excuses or denials, he felt his pride crumble as the panel chair leaned forward, delivering the final judgment. “Due to the gravity of the allegations, you are demoted with immediate effect,” he announced in a cold, detached tone. “Furthermore, you are hereby suspended pending a full criminal investigation. You will remain available for questioning.”

Adebayo felt the floor shift beneath him, the reality of his situation crashing in. There would be no walking away from this. The poison scandal had fully caught up to him, and now he had no shield, no protection. He rose from his seat with a hollow look in his eyes, forcing himself to keep his head high as he left the room.

But his attempt at dignity was cut short. He’d barely taken a few steps toward the exit when a group of uniformed officers intercepted him at the gate.

One officer stepped forward, holding a folded document. “Mr. Adebayo,” he began, his voice formal and direct, “a court order has been secured to keep you in police custody while investigations proceed. Due to the severity of your alleged crimes, you’re considered a flight risk.”

 

Adebayo’s face blanched. “What… what are you saying?” he stammered, his voice taut with fear. “I am innocent! This is— this is ridiculous!” His voice rose, but the officers remained unmoved, their expressions steely and resolute.

A sharp realization hit him. This was the end of the line, and there was no escape. His protests fell on deaf ears as the officers motioned for him to follow them. As they led him back through the imposing gates of the headquarters, Adebayo felt a crushing sense of defeat. The walls that had once symbolized authority and power now felt like cold, unyielding barriers, confining him to a future he had never imagined.

For the first time, Adebayo felt truly cornered, with no one left to hear his pleas.

The journey from Ajegunle to the Grand Royal Hotel was a blur of anticipation and excitement for Ada. The Bolt cab they ordered moved swiftly through the city, the normally congested roads seeming to part in celebration of this long-awaited day.

They arrived in record time, and as they walked into the hotel lobby, a staff member with a bright smile directed Ada towards the bar. A hint of mischief in the woman’s eyes gave Ada pause, but she brushed it off, attributing it to her own excitement.

Inside the bar, the dim lighting and murmured conversations created an intimate ambiance. But then, as the sliding door opened, Ada’s breath caught in her throat. Family members, old friends, and faces she hadn’t seen in years stood before her, their smiles and murmured congratulations adding to the surreal atmosphere. She looked around, her eyes searching for the one person who mattered most. And then, she saw him.

Deji emerged from the crowd, looking every bit the man she had fallen for, his smile soft yet determined. Ada’s heart pounded as he walked towards her. But then, something she hadn’t expected happened—Deji went down on one knee.

Time seemed to freeze. From the corner of her eye, she saw a massive banner unfurling from the ceiling, revealing words that took her breath away: Will you marry me?

A stunned silence fell over the room. She blinked, processing the moment, her mind spinning as joy and disbelief collided.

Deji’s voice softened, a blend of nervousness and excitement shining in his eyes as he held Ada’s gaze. “When I came to Nigeria, it wasn’t just to expose Senator Bala,” he began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. “I had also planned to propose to you—something I wanted, despite knowing my mother didn’t approve of us at the time. I was ready to do it, even if it meant defying her.”

He paused, glancing toward the crowd, where his mother now stood watching with warmth and pride. “But after everything that’s happened these past six days—after seeing how deeply you stood by me—I couldn’t be more grateful that my mom is here now, not in opposition, but to witness this moment with us. She knows, just as I do, that I’ve found the love of my life. And this,” he gestured to Ada with a smile, “is the happiest moment I could ever ask for.” The crowd let out a collective sigh, many discreetly wiping their eyes as emotion swept through the room. Deji took a breath, his voice dropping to a gentle whisper as he spoke directly to Ada. “I want you to know, no matter how deeply I love you, this is entirely your choice. You have the freedom to say yes or no, and I’ll respect whatever you decide.”

As he spoke, another banner rolled down next to the first, with the words: Or will you not?

The playful twist broke the tension, a smile tugging at Ada’s lips as tears filled her eyes. She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands trembling as she stretched her fingers toward him.

“I do,” she said, her voice cracking but sure. The room erupted into applause, laughter, and cheers, the joyous energy filling every corner of the space.

Deji slipped a diamond-encrusted ring onto her finger, his hands steady as he grinned, eyes shining with tears he didn’t bother to hide. They embraced the sound of friends and family clapping blending with the soft music playing in the background. Ada leaned her head against Deji’s chest, savoring the warmth and security of the moment, unaware that every second was being streamed live online.

Meanwhile, across Nigeria, social media platforms were buzzing with reactions. The proposal, caught live on camera, was the day’s top story, with congratulatory messages pouring in from every corner of the internet. Even the President and the Inspector General of Police sent their well-wishes and apologies, acknowledging the couple’s resilience and the justice they had fought so hard to secure.

Not all the news, however, was filled with celebration. In the midst of the joy and congratulations, another story emerged— Tunde’s public apology. After being dismissed from OON News Network, Tunde took to social media to share a candid message. In it, he confessed to letting jealousy and bitterness cloud his judgment, admitting the harm he’d caused to his friendship with Deji. “I allowed my emotions to take over,” he wrote. “In doing so, I’ve lost a true friend, and I don’t think I can ever face Deji again, not after everything I’ve done.”

The response from netizens was swift and unforgiving. Onos, the fiery social critic, wasted no time in calling out Tunde’s hypocrisy. “Now he wants to play the victim?” Onos posted on his Twitter feed, his words biting. “Jealousy ruined his integrity, and now he’s trying to redeem himself with a ‘public apology’? Save it. Let his guilt eat him alive. He doesn’t get to steal the spotlight from Deji and Ada after everything he’s done. #Hypocrite #TundeSuffersFromTheTruth.

The comment sections were flooded with backlash. One user, @TruthSeeker1987, posted, “Tunde had a front-row seat to destroy Deji’s life and now he’s trying to be a saint? Nah, he’s just trying to distract from the fact that he helped ruin lives but God pass am. This apology is as fake as his ‘friendship’ with Deji.”

Another comment from @RealJustice22 read, “Tunde thought his jealousy was justified until it blew up in his face. Apologies now don’t undo the harm he caused. He should’ve thought about that before he betrayed Deji. He’s just trying to take the attention away from Deji’s win.”

@NdidiTheVoice added, “Tunde only apologizes because it’s trending. Where was this remorse when he was spreading lies? He’s trying to save face now that Deji’s won, but we see right through it. #NotBuyingIt”

Despite the backlash, a few defended Tunde, including @Loy- alSupporter, who wrote, “People make mistakes. Tunde was wrong, but he’s owning up to it. He deserves a second chance. If we’re all going to call out his mistakes, we should also praise him for having the courage to admit them.”

It was clear: the digital space was no place for redemption in this case, and Tunde’s apology was met with a fury that even he hadn’t expected.

Back at the Grand Royal Hotel, the celebration was in full swing. The hall glittered with chandeliers, and the joyful sounds of laughter and music filled the air. Ada and Deji danced in the center of the room, their movements a silent promise of the life they were about to build together. The crowd cheered them on, raising glasses filled with champagne and palm wine alike, toasting to freedom, resilience, and love.

Aunty Ify, dressed in a bright Ankara gown, was the life of the party, dancing in the middle of the crowd. Her joy was infectious as she twirled and clapped, her energy belying the stress and struggles of the past six days. She paused briefly to yell at the DJ to “play something that will scatter the floor,” drawing laughter from everyone around her.

Deji held Ada close, leaning into her ear. “There are some people I want you to meet properly,” he said, his tone serious but warm. Taking her hand, he guided her through the crowd toward Sergeant Femi, who stood near the buffet table. Femi, dressed sharply in his police uniform, carried himself with calm authority, his insignia gleaming under the lights.

“Femi,” Deji began, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “This is Ada.”

Sergeant Femi smiled warmly and extended his hand, but his words came with a light chuckle. “Ah, the famous Ada. Deji, you don’t need to introduce her to me. She’s the reason I’m even here tonight!”

Ada took his hand, gripping it firmly. “The pleasure is mine, Sergeant Femi. I don’t even know where to start. Thank you… thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

Femi shook his head, his smile modest. “I only did what was right. Deji’s case was personal to me. Justice needed to be served.”

Ada’s eyes watered as she nodded. “You risked so much for someone you didn’t even know. I’ll never forget that.”

Femi gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “It was worth it. Seeing the both of you here today, happy and free, makes it all worth it.”

Next, Deji led Ada to a corner where Onos stood, holding a glass of palm wine and animatedly talking to a group of guests. Onos was hard to miss: a tall, masculine young man in his late twenties, his neatly plaited hair shining under the lights. His confident, fiery energy seemed to draw people toward him.

“Onos!” Deji called out.

Onos turned and grinned widely when he saw Deji and Ada approaching. “The man and woman of the hour!” he exclaimed, pulling Deji into a quick hug before turning to Ada.

“Ada, this is Onos,” Deji said with a smile. “The fiery critic who shook the internet and gave our struggle a voice.”

Onos laughed, a deep, infectious sound. “Fiery critic, eh? That’s a polite way of saying I’m a troublemaker.”

Ada smiled shyly. “No, it’s a perfect description. Onos, you… you gave us hope when we felt like the whole world was against us. Your voice made a difference.”

Onos waved a hand dismissively. “Abeg, leave that story. You people were the real heroes. All I did was make noise on social media.”

“No,” Ada said firmly, shaking her head. “You did more than that. You stood by us when it wasn’t easy. I can never thank you enough.”

 

Onos raised his glass with a grin. “Then let’s call it even. You two being here, alive and happy, is thanks enough.”

Finally, Deji led Ada to a table near the front of the hall, where a dignified man in his forties sat. His neatly tailored suit and calm, commanding presence gave him the air of a man who had faced down many storms.

“This is Barista Okafor,” Deji said, his tone full of respect. “The fearless lawyer who defended me in court.”

Ada’s heart swelled with emotion as she shook Okafor’s hand. “Sir, I don’t know how to express my gratitude. You fought for us, for someone you didn’t even know. I’ll never forget that.”

Okafor smiled kindly. “It was my duty,The law should always protect the innocent, no matter the odds.”

Ada blinked back tears. “You restored my faith in justice. Thank you.”

Okafor inclined his head. “You’re most welcome. But tonight is about celebration, not thanks. Enjoy this moment—you’ve earned it.”

Returning to the dance floor, Ada spotted Aunty Ify swaying to the music, her arms raised high as she sang along. With a playful grin, Ada walked up to her.

“Aunty, did you know this party was supposed to be an engage- ment party?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Aunty Ify chuckled and winked mischievously. “Ah, Deji called me while I was at the restaurant. That’s why I rushed home early. But I pretended not to know anything to keep the surprise for you.”

Ada gasped in mock indignation. “Aunty, you no good ooo!”

Aunty Ify laughed heartily. “Ah, na your happiness I dey think about, my pikin!”

The two women dissolved into laughter, drawing the attention of the crowd.

The room sparkled with lights, the air filled with love and laughter. For the first time, after all they had endured, Ada let herself laugh without restraint. Her heart was light, her spirit unburdened, and as she danced with Deji, she knew they were truly free. Together, they were unstoppable.