THE CASE

CURTAINS UP

In court. Judge, the Father seats in front, facing the courtroom. On his left side is Fiend Esq. the lead counsel of the prosecution. He stands in his chamber with a million busy lawyers dressed in black standing behind him. He opens his eyes wide and frowns sternly at the court. On the Judge's right is Friend Esq. the defence lead counsel in His chamber. He talks calmly to the few lawyers in white behind Him. He looks at the numerous accused persons with pity. They stand unconcerned in the dock. Some of them are smoking and gambling, others are stealing from others' pockets and others are having sex. Fiend Esq. now looks at them with a wry smile while Friend Esq. still looks at them with pity; they do not know their lives rest at the mercy of the Judge's verdict. Judge, the Father strikes his table with the mallet in His hand and roars "ORDER!"

FIEND ESQ:
It is evident, they lead their lives cruel
And in ba'als* insane decrees they dwell
None of them should not be executed
Your spotless statute they frustrated
They live and enjoy their felonies in sin
Like flourishing wheat in a rainy reason
With alio intuito* they commit murder
Which ought to have seduced your thunder
By virtue of their unconstitutional behaviour
Do not let my learned colleague be a saviour
Paul is heard 'cos he is consistent. Yes, the octopus*
And, allegans contraria non est audiendus*
Your pardon lives for so long
That they can spring like Oedipus,* strong
And purport your Lordship is a lie.
My Lord, in the interest of justice, let them die
Then at least, send them to hell
So that this case will rest well.

FRIEND ESQ:
My Lord, I pray, if given the word to save
To vindicate them out of the grave
Then journey up to the sobbing stake, the cross
So that my life can be a timely loss
For they will bathe in my blood
And never again become odd.

FATHER:
Having heard the prosecution, the defence and 175*
The lead defence counsel will loose His blood and life
A chance for Him today, is given
To bail them from this rotten place to heaven
They will be insured if He accepts them in grace.
With this verdict, I rest this long-lasted case.

On hearing the judgement, Fiend Esq. frowns and points his left index finger to the accused people in their dock as if to say "we shall see" then bustles out amidst the "AS THE COURT PLEASES" roar.

CURTAINS DOWN.

Ba'al: A Cannanite god of fertility.
Alio intuito: A motive rather than the proper one
Paul the octopus: An octopus that was used to predict the result of matches played in the FIFA world cup 2010 games in South Africa.
Allegans contraria non est audiendus: He who alleges contradictory things should not be heard
Oedipus: In Greek mythology, Oedipus, whose father Laiuis had been told by an oracle that his son would kill him. Instead of killing Oedipus, Laiuis left him on a mountain to die, but a shepherd rescued him. Oedipus returned home many years later but did not recognise his parents. He later killed his father and married his mother, Jocasta.
175: Refering to Section 175 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which talks about the prerogative of mercy.

THE PREACHER

He sped in like a rocket
Leaving them with caugh in the dust.
They all, being sheep, flocked in
To hear his halelujah message.

The jeep exited and spat mire on them.
They smiled at his wheels of alloy
And in unison, they cried
"The Lord is good".