After a few days of recuperation, Alhaji Bature was eventually discharged from the hospital. He departed for Lagos with his wife and some police officers. Akpan had still not been found since the attack on Alhaji Bature. The police were reluctant to release further details of their investigation until they were sure they had cracked the case.
Alhaji arrived at his mansion two weeks after his ordeal to the joy of many family members, friends and relatives. His wife had planned a surprise welcome party. The party was a somber reminder to thank God for saving his life. Three clerics had arrived to commence the opening prayer, before the celebration begins. After the opening prayers, people sat down and Alhaji began to narrate his ordeal in the hands of the assailants. He told them how he survived the attack by the grace of God and how his most trusted driver Akpan had still not been found. He said, “We are hoping that he is found alive and that no harm befalls him”…. “Amen, Amen!” They all responded. The band played wonderful fuji tunes and people danced in moderation, hoping that Akpan would be found at some point.
Two hours into the party, a SWAT team from the Ikoyi divisional headquarters stormed the premises with Akpan in handcuffs. At first, Alhaji thought that they were his assailants back to finish the job they started. The head of the group of police officers stepped forward and brandished his ID card. He said, “Alhaji, you are under arrest for attempt to commit financial fraud through coercion”. The man turned to Alhaja his wife and said, “Madam, you are under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping and man slaughter, I will like to remind both of you of the need to remain quiet, as anything you say or do may be used against you in the court of law.” Alhaji burst out in anger barking, “how dare officers arrest my wife, do you know who I am, I can nail you in seconds”. The police officer replied, “We shall explain all that when we get to the police station.” Alhaji Bature turned to his wife and said, “Attempted murder, how come?” His wife didn’t say a thing; she looked motionless more like in agreement with the accusations of the police. Alhaji looked glanced briefly at Akpan; he was in no mood to talk. He too looked guilty, like a sheep being led to the slaughter.
The head of the SWAT team, took Alhaji in to the living room to clarify things further. He said, “Alhaji, your wife planned everything from the get go. It was an elaborate well thought out plan. She hired the assailants to teach you a lesson. Akpan was on in on it too. Her motive was to stop you at all cost from marrying a second wife. She felt betrayed that you planned to abandon her, after she stuck by you through thick and thin and helped you build your empire with the help of her family connections. She hired Friday, who hired the hoodlums. Your mobile phones were cloned and your email account hacked on the day you were assailed”. Alhaji Bature interjected, “But Mr. Chukwuma, claimed he saw me in traffic and recall that a call on Quadri’s phone number was traced to Akpan’s missing phone.” “She planned everything”, said the officer, she got a doppelganger, to full Mr. Chukwuma in traffic
She tried to hire Mr. Quadri, but he refused to go along with the plan. He has been arrested to, for failing to tell the police about the attempted murder plan. Alhaji asked why he was being arrested, he was promptly told his plans to defraud the company was caught on tape after a search of Quadri’s house. His follow up phone conversation was recorded by Mr. Quadri after the dinner with Mr. Chukwuma. Alhaji immediately submitted himself to police upon hearing what the officer had just said. Without much of a resistance, he knew he just had to cooperate with law enforcement. He was handcuffed and he was led into the waiting car to be charged, along with his wife, Akpan, and Mr. Quadri
THE END
