“Officer, is there a problem?” David asked, trying to maintain his composure, “do you believe there is one?” the officer asked with sarcasm in his voice. “Well, I don’t understand why you’re asking my wife and I to step out of the car, just for no reason,” David added defensively.
“Ok then, if you won’t step out, I will call for backup” the officer threatened. “It hasn’t come to that,” David quickly interjected, “I’m stepping out now, but please let my wife stay back in the car to take care of our baby” David pleaded.
“She can stay back” The officer reluctantly agreed, looking suspiciously at David as he stepped out of the car.
“Stop there” he instructed, holding his hand out in front of him for David to stop, “spread out your arms and legs. I need to do a body search, “he added, bringing out his handheld body scanner .
After searching David thoroughly and satisfying himself that there were no weapons on him, he ordered him to step forward.
Fear gripped me as I watched him order David around, I knew he was on to something. I silently prayed that he would not alert the police.
“Do you know this man?” he asked shoving his phone towards David, I suspect, he was showing David his own picture that had been circulated by the police, David tried his best to remain composed, “what about him?” he asked, “hmm! Werey dey disguise” the officer replied clapping his two hands together, “you think I’m joking right” he added starting to get angry, “Officer, relax” David said tapping his shoulder gently, “we can settle this amicably.”
“Settle what?” the officer asked, sizing David up from head to toe, “I hope you know that the money that has been placed on your head alone is $5000” the officer replied, “I’ll double it” David quickly added, making him an offer. “I am not interested,” the officer replied, turning his nose up, “I don’t want blood money on my hands.”
“Officer, it’s $10,000 in cash we’re talking about here. I can give it to you right now” David said, ” Wait! So you have up to $10,000 here with you. Are you sure you’re not carrying more than that?” the officer questioned, still looking suspicious. “Wouldn’t that be money laundering?” David asked, “well, coming from a kidnapper, what is the big deal? If you can kidnap a whole human being, then you can launder money too” the officer said.
“Ok, let’s make a deal,” David said, “ I don’t want the other officers to start raising eyebrows. I’ll give you all the cash I have on me which is $10,000. In addition, I will give you this watch I’m wearing…”
“Ei ei ei, stop there” the officer interjected, “what do I want to do with your second hand wrist watch? Pleaseee, do not insult me” he said, waving a warning finger at David. “Officer calm down” David continued, “this is a Rolex wrist watch. It costs $50,000. And I can guarantee you that you will get at least $40,000 on it if you sell it in the right market”.
The officer looked suspiciously at him “you dey whine me?”
“Why would I want to do that?” David asked, “ you can check it online yourself, It’s a Rolex sky dweller. Check online for the details. You can see the model name written on it” he said pointing to the dial of the wrist watch.
“Officer is everything ok” One of the other immigration officers called out to the officer questioning David. “Everything is fine. Just doing routine questioning before I stamp him out” the officer replied.
“Oya! Give me the wristwatch” he said turning to face David when the other officer had turned his back “and bring the cash too” he added.
David quickly retrieved the cash from the glove compartment, discreetly handing it to the officer.
“You may go,” the officer said, handing him our stamped passports. “Go and sin no more” he said, giving David a playful pat on the shoulder. One could tell that he was very satisfied with the just completed deal.
I heaved a sigh of relief as David and I drove off, across the border to Cotonou to continue our journey to Ghana. The pain that had been heavy in my chest, which felt like angina, had finally been lifted off. Thankfully Yuri had been so peaceful, sleeping throughout the journey.
Oh by the way! Angina is a type of chest pain that is caused by a reduced blood flow to the heart. People often describe it as a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in the chest. Older age people, smokers, obese people and people who have hypertension and diabetes are some of those who are at a higher risk for developing angina. Angina can eventually progress to become a heart attack if appropriate preventive measures are not taken. You can prevent angina by not smoking, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight and managing health conditions like hypertension or diabetes properly.Certain medications can be used in the treatment of angina where necessary.
David had significant funds stashed away in a Swiss account. He also had a number of properties abroad which we could sell if needed to and he had secured citizenship in one of the Caribbean countries for himself long before now. The plan was for him to process citizenship for Yuri and I which from our findings would only take a few months so that we could finally relocate to the Carribeans afterwards.
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When we reached Ghana safely, we bought new sim cards and disposed of our Nigerian sims, just in case we were being tracked somehow. I called my mum to inform her about our whereabouts but made her promise not to tell my dad. Needless to say, he never spoke to me or bothered to ask about my welfare. I wonder why some men can be so hard-hearted sometimes. I’m sure he will eventually come around someday and agree to pay us a visit in our new home in the Carribeans.
With the help of Bethany, we were able to get a short let apartment to stay in Ghana while we processed passports for Yuri and I. I did not mention a word about David’s criminal case to her and we did well to keep a very low profile throughout our stay.
The abductee was eventually released to her family as promised and Femi and the other guys eventually also escaped and left the country, however, we do not know their whereabouts.
I was glad to be able to start a new life with David. I’m glad he was given a second chance to do things the right way. I know a lot of you reading my story might be asking why I didn’t leave him or turn him in to the authorities. Well, the truth is that I thought long and hard about it. I weighed all my options. David is a great guy, he loves me, he takes great care of me and our daughter. Yes, he did some shameful things in the past, he may also have caused some people pain and I truly feel for them and pray they get the healing that they need, but thankfully, he never took anyone’s life because that would have been a deal breaker for me. I can deal with a lot of things, but I certainly would not have been able to live with him, knowing he took someone else’s life.
We’ve all done things we’ve been ashamed of in the past, some that will follow us to the grave because we are too ashamed to even let anyone know. Our past mistakes should never define our future, everyone deserves a second chance and I’m glad that life has given David a chance to rewrite his story.
It has been a real pleasure sharing my story. I wish I could go on forever, but everything that has a beginning must come to an end. It’s time for me to prepare for my new life in the carribeans with my family.
Thanks for sharing this journey with me, I hope it was truly worth your while.
THE END.
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