Chapter 1
THE CALL FOR JUSTICE
Mrs Femi darted hurriedly into her new chamber as a judge in the city of Lagos, Nigeria .Physically , she is a young woman with a fair complexion and had a Brazilian curled hairstyle. She sat down and called the registrar, glanced through some files briefly, then asked the registrar about a file of one Chief Dalemo.
" Why has this case not been dealt with"? she asked fixing her attention on the file.
" No ma, the file has been discharged for lack of evidence for eight years now; and the case has not been called upon since." The registrar said looking down as Mrs Femi gazed at him with a quizzical expression.
" I want this case to be brought up." She said firmly as she continued flipping through the file.
"Ma this Chief have plenty connections, infact anyone who tries to deal with his case doesn't finish well in his job. That was what led to the crash of the former Judge, though he co-operated at first he was ready to make amendment but it didn't work out." He said with a flutter.
" So you mean this man has been peddling narcotic substances, and the guilt go free."? She asked fiercely turning to the registrar.
He bowed his head and looked at the ground" ma Chief himself is an authority. He sees matters in his own way."
"I don't want to know how dangerous Chief is i also have a red me", she said " listen i want this case to be brought up." She stand up and left the office.
The registrar stood there hesitantly for a while before he too alighted out of the chamber.
Mrs Femi went on to investigate the matter. Two weeks later, more evidence was brought up to her by one of the lawyers about Chief involvement in money smuggling to purchase the narcotic substances. She then put it to the face of everyone that she wants the case of Chief Dalemo to be brought up in the court of law and her decision is final.
Mr and Mrs Williams were seated in their sitting room chatting excitedly with their two children, Bisi and Oladele. Bisi a beautiful, slender negro lady in her early twenties, had finished her higher Education and is now into tailoring and the business of selling fabrics. She had once dreamed of becoming a fashion designer and though she didn't fully pursue it, she still held onto her creative ambition.
Ola as they normally call him is still in the university studying Engineering. He had just come home for the holiday.
Mrs Williams is a nurse, kind and caring in her dealing with people, while Mr Williams is an Engineer known for his wisdom and principled nature.
As they were discussing, Mrs Femi who has been a long time family friend arrived at their house
" Good evening Aunty Femi" . The children greeted with sign of respect. Mr and Mrs Williams were pleased to see her. After exchanging pleasantries, the children gave them some privacy.
Mrs Femi began to discuss her concerns about Chief Dalemo. She told them about the unacceptable behavior of the Chief and the plan she was developing to take legal action. She also said she needed their advice.
" That man is very dangerous", Mr Williams said seriously, " but if you believe you can handle the situation with strength and wisdom, then go for it.
" My husband is right ", Mrs Williams added, " I've heard that the man has defeated many lawyers who tried to fight against him. He has strong connections. And you know how our system can be so corrupt and inconsistent."
Mrs Femi nodded slowly absorbing the words. " I know what am up against, but I can't just sit and watch someone like him continue to ruin lives. Justice must prevail, no matter how long it takes."
Mr Williams gave her a steady look. " Then you must be careful. Gather strong evidence and don't trust easily. People in his circle can be dangerous and manipulative."
"I will," she replied firmly
Just then Bisi returned to the sitting room with a tray of drinks and snacks.
"Aunt Femi, you need to eat something. You look tired," she said kindly, setting the tray down on the table.
" Thank you dear," Mrs Femi said, smiling faintly. " You have grown into such a caring young lady."
Bisi blushed slightly and sat beside her mother. Ola joined them as well, his curiosity getting the better of him
" Aunty Femi," he said," is it true that Chief Dalemo is involved in drug smuggling?"
Mrs Femi looked at him then nodded. " Yes. For years, he has used his influence to escape justice."
Ola clenched his fists. " That's wrong. People like him make life harder for those trying to do things the right way."
Mrs Williams reached out and touched her son's hand. " That's why we must stand by people like Aunty Femi. She's doing the right thing, and she will need all the support she can get."
A moment of silence filled the room, heavy with thought and determination. The Williams family knew this was no ordinary visit ,it was a call to action.
Oladele broke the silence with a dramatic sigh and leaned back in his seat. “Well, I guess I’ll have to cancel my plans to become the next James Bond. This town already has a chief villain.”
Everyone burst into laughter, including Mrs. Femi, who hadn’t smiled that genuinely in days.
“You this boy,” Mrs. Williams said, shaking her head with a grin. “You’ll joke about anything, won’t you?”
“Laughter is the best defense, Mum,” he said, striking a playful pose. “If Chief Dalemo ever comes here, I’ll distract him with bad dance moves until the police arrive.”
Bisi chuckled. “You’re not even that good at dancing.”
“That’s the point,” he said with a wink. “My dance moves are a weapon of mass confusion.”
Even Mrs. Femi laughed again, and her shoulders relaxed for the first time that evening. “Ola, you might not be in court with me, but your humor is a strength. It lightens the pressure.”
“Anytime, Aunty. Just let me know if you need a distraction squad,” he replied, giving her a two-finger salute.
Mr. Williams looked at his son, a smile tugging at his lips. “Sometimes I wonder how someone so unserious manages to pass his engineering courses.”
“Sir, it’s all part of the strategy,” Oladele said, tapping his temple. “Confuse the lecturer with charm, then hit them with just enough intelligence to survive.”
Everyone laughed again. And just like that, the heaviness of the conversation lifted a little, replaced by warmth and renewed resolve.
Chief Dalemo sat in his office, behaving like a man about to explode. He looked worried—deep lines creased his forehead as he muttered to himself.
"Who met this new judge? Did she know what she was doing?" he fumed.
Grabbing his phone, he dialed a number. "Hello, Mark. Who is this new judge, and why is she dancing me?" he barked, his voice a mix of panic and anger.
Mark, also a lawyer, answered, “She’s new here and doesn’t know what you can do."
“It looks like you're not doing what you're supposed to,” Chief Dalemo snapped, sarcasm lacing his tone.
“I try to consult her, including everyone, but she wouldn’t listen,” Mark said calmly. He assured the chief he would do everything he could to get her off Dalemo’s back.
Without another word, Chief Dalemo ended the call. He immediately phoned the Commissioner of Police, informing him that he would be in his office shortly. Without delay, he stormed out.
Mrs. Femi was still deep in her investigation. The matter had become public, and the law demanded that Chief Dalemo report to court within a month.
One afternoon, Mrs. Femi was at home when she heard a knock. She opened the door to find a man standing with two guards behind him.
Even before she could speak, the man snarled, “I could tell this house belongs to the no-chatter.”
“Excuse me?” Mrs. Femi raised her brow.
“Why must you enter the room like someone that needs medical treatment,” she said looking surprised at the man's nonchalant attitude and stood her ground. “Oh, I see. Judge,” he sneered.
“Let me guess,” she replied, “Chief Dalemo, right?”
“Correct. I came here to warn you to stay out of my way,” he threatened.
“And if I don’t?” she asked, her voice steady.
He leaned in, his breath sour with rage. “Then be ready to die like a chicken in a witch’s market.”
Mrs. Femi stared at him, standing tall in her doorway. “Is this a threat?”
He gave a wicked chuckle, then turned and walked away with his guards.
Shaken but not defeated, Mrs. Femi stood still. Confused, angry—but composed. She knew what she was doing… and what she was risking.
**********
Later that evening, Mrs. Femi paid a visit to her long-time friend, Mrs. Williams.
Inside the cozy sitting room, she recounted everything—how Chief Dalemo barged into her home to threaten her life.
Mrs. Williams, visibly worried, held her friend's hand tightly. “Femi, my friend… don’t let this consume you. My advice? Let go of this case. Forget about the chief. He’s dangerous.”
Judge Femi sighed. “According to my findings, the man is very dangerous. But,"...........
“But nothing,” Mrs. Williams interrupted. “If you really care for Natasha, then think about what’s at stake. You can’t shield a case like this without expecting retaliation. What will you tell the people—or your daughter—if something happens to you?”
She stood and walked around slowly. “This isn’t just about law. This is personal. You need to be careful.”
Judge Femi looked away, her mind spinning.
Mrs. Williams added gently, patting her on the shoulder, “You’ve done enough. Let it go.”
Mrs. Femi exhaled, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on her.
“Femi, listen to me—not as a friend, but as a sister. This case… it’s not just dangerous, it’s deadly. You have a daughter—Natasha. You’re all she’s got. Please, let this go before it swallows you.”
Judge Femi leaned on the table, staring at her teacup as if the answers might float to the surface.
“You think I haven’t thought about Natasha? Every night I do. But My dear friend,something in me burns too deeply. If I let this go, I won’t just lose the case—I’ll lose myself.”
Mrs. Williams reached across and held her hand tightly.
“Femi, don’t confuse fire for purpose. Not every battle is yours to fight. I’m not asking you to be weak. I’m begging you to stay alive.”
Just then, Mrs. Femi’s phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and her face softened.
“It’s from Natasha’s school,” she murmured. “She’s coming home for the holidays.”
Mrs. Williams squeezed her hand harder, her voice barely a whisper. “That’s exactly why you must choose life. Choose her.”
***
Mrs. Williams saw her off and returned inside. A few minutes later, Bisi, Mrs. Williams’ daughter, came downstairs.
“Mummy, Aunty Femi’s daughter is coming today, huh?”
Mrs. Williams nodded, her smile returning.
