03/03/2022
NAKED INNOCENCE
CHAPTER 1
Nkem,tell the poet, that a marvellous dirge be recited at my graveside ,if eventually,the Judge sentences me to death..Tell mum,that the serpent has bitten it's own tail,tell the children,that dad's love for humanity,and the pen caused him ,his quick demise here on Earth.but never hide this to the Society,that I was innocent".These were the very words of Jack Benson,my husband on the day of his last conviction in the court, before he was sentenced to death by hanging on the 14th of March 1987.
Until his death ,Jack Benson was a journalist,not just an ordinary Journalist,an Investigative Journalist,he worked for the Sunrise Paper , untill he found out,that the editor,was being paid to filter every negative information that affected the government..Right from ,his days in the university,he has sworn to expose every ills and monkey shadowed games of the government. Due to this fact ,he resigned ,and became a freelance. Jack,whose Perception and Principles,was to glorify the Idiom "The pen is mightier than the sword .has sought to use his skills in destabilizing corruption, nepotism, embezzlement,and other corrupt practice of the government..
Jack,despite being a freelancer,doesn't even stay at home , he's always in a meeting, interview, Secretariat, government meetings and most especially in the Ministry of Justice .I had told him severely,to always be at home early,but it' all fell on deaf ears .All I could do,was to support him with prayers of protection and guidance.He had severally,promised to come home early,but never did ,after a week of fulfilling it." "Hmmm!!!Life's a mess",you never know what hits you next"this was his favorite phrase,anytime he gets scared about a case he's trying to unveil,due to the facts that he knows the dangers of what's cooking. .
Conversation,never seized from him,he was always taking about, the government, politicians, embezzlement, criminals who have yet to be detained and others. "Jack!!Please be careful,stop with all this investigation,before you get into the trap of this unmerciful politicians,they might come after us" ,I had once warned him,but he persisted,holding me back and tightening his lips to mine ,and with a sweet voice,he echoes a guarantee phrase '"I 'm in control".
Jack,my husband was never a" threat to the society" as he was described,by the judge who the Animal in human skin,pot belled, irritating minister of Finance , had gotten control of,with whatever means he had done it.Jack was a loving husband, father,and was friendly to everyone in the neighborhood.On the day of his final trial,the court was surprised as to the number of people who came for the hearing,the court house was filled,and many had to stay outside the court.Fliers , stickers,posters,of "Let Jack go "was everywhere.From our house ,the street of Jakun,and the the entire city of Lagos. His story had hit 10,000tweet and hashtag let Jack go. The press had established his story ,on back cover page ,middle page and at times the front page .But ,trust me ,the politicians always have their way,to give the story a new look.
Written by Ukwa Vincent and Ukwa Victor
300l students of Mass Communication
