03/09/2022
I was falsely accused of stealing my mother's money, 20k. I was unfortunate to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time and there was enough evidence to prove I did. some 20yrs later nobody still believe I didn't do it.
The year was 2002, I just got promoted to primary 3 and was attending a government primary school a stone throw from our house with my immediate elder brother who's 5yrs older than me.
Due to the over population of the school it was divided into 2 section, morning and afternoon we attended afternoon section.
We were on our way to school when I discovered I forgot a nylon which contained some tiny toy soldiers i used to play with my friends and pepper those who're not in good terms with me during break period, so I ran back home to get it. I barged into my mother's room unannounced and met my eldest sister ( she was already married with a child at that time) with a bundle of 20 naira notes, I haven't seen so much money at that time and I was astonished, we kept looking at each other and I didn't suspected anything. She gave me some money and asked me not to tell anyone, I don't know how much it was but I sure made up my mind not to tell anyone I saw her and hurried back to school. The news of how I spent money that day in school reached home before me. By the time I got home my mum called me and asked where I got the money from, I told her it was a gift from someone and when she asked me who I became dumb for a moment, I smelled trouble. My elder sister was present during the questioning and I remembered the promise I made not to tell anyone but I wasn't going to keep that promise anyway, because i can sense a trouble bigger than me. I soon learned that 20k was missing and it was osusu money. I didn't keep account of how much I was given or how much I have spent, the remaining cash was found in my pocket and my mom confirmed it looks like the money she was looking for. I tried to explain what how I got the money but nobody gave me a listening ear anymore infact my eldest sister was the first person to do me dirty, I was tied and flogged mercilessly while the main culprit was the cheerleader of my tormentors. Nobody gave me an audience, none asked how I was able to spend a whole 20k in less than one day. When they were done they took me to church for deliverance from spirits they thought was disturbing me, my voice was already failing me at this time but i struggled to explained what happened to our pastor then. He didn't seem to believe my story but he dismissed the the others include my mum. After they left he allowed me take my bath, fed me and asked me to sleep in his house, I shared the same room with his children that night.
At home, Parents didn't want their kids to associate with me after that incident.
The news made it to School too, I was reminded about it anytime an argument breakout.
My elder sister never own up to what she did or apologized till date, even between the both of us she still deny ever giving me money or stealing it. I wouldn't say I hated her after that but I avoided her like like plaque.
It's been 20yrs now, we don't talk to each other, the malice is still fresh like.
By: Brah Sam
