Justice, Law and the City [EP 2]

BBC. Bole Festival 2021

HOPE

Where the Lizards lie.....

The class echoed with laugh as the lecturer spoke. Barrister Mukoro is an albino man with a tongue Nigerians normally called 'bad mouth.' An extremely funny man on the average with a surprisingly flat tummy amidst his bad habit for drinking. Students interestingly flocked towards him despite his yabbing, others made fun of him when asking questions. They would squint their eyes when asking questions as if blinded by the dimly lit room. Still, he was one to thread carefully around. He lectured the second-year law students of the UNIVERSITY OF HARCOURT BRACE on Constitutional Law.

Hope sat in her usual spot by the window, feeling hot despite the cool air whooshing from the air conditioner. This made it even harder for her to concentrate on her phone.

Mr Mukoro wandered to the centre of the class and positioned himself on a step with a look that he was scanning the class. Hope quickly tucked her phone away and threw her face one side to avoid being questioned.

Instead, he spoke. "I don't want to divert into criminal law. You pupils might get confused.'' A taunt smile wear his features. He looked like he was trying too hard not to look like a wall gecko.

The boys at the back hoot and laugh falling for his bait.

"In the preceded case, the accused was arrested and convicted for murder and cannibalism. But upon appeal, the Supreme Court discharged the accused from murder because he had not killed the deceased but partook in the feasting of the deceased. The Supreme Court held that since there was no provision for the offence of cannibalism, then it would be ultra vires for the court to act otherwise. He was discharged."

This threw the class into a banter.

"Yes?" Mr Mukoro pointed at Henry.

"Sir," he started. 'In my humble opinion–' Hope rolled her eyes. 'I think that the Supreme Court is wrong for that decision.'

The class was thrown into yet another wave of bantering. "Quiet class, let him continue."

Osaz, a dark-skinned boy continues talking and Mr Mukoro turns red like tomatoes. "Do you want to teach?" Cowardly he shakes his head and withdraws into his seat.

"See his charcoal head." Mukoro cusses and the class erupts in laugh.

Henry continues. "Sir based on the case of SHAW, the court defined themselves to have power to be Custos Morum (Custodian of Public Morals) and therefore using their law-making power through precedent they can make a law that will be binding."

Mr Mukoro smiles. "Another person?"

Osaz raises his hands and he is permitted to speak. "I believe based on the Constitution as our grundnorm, the Supreme Court is right."

"Why?"

"It is against section 36(8) of our Constitution and backing it up with section 1(3) of the Constitution, any law inconsistent with the Constitution is void. I think Shaw is inconsistent with this provision and although the decision of the Apex court seems unfair, it is in alignment with the provision of our grundnorm."

'Anymore opinions? Or do we agree with him?" The door opens and Barr. Okah shoots her head through the door. People groan. Mukoro raises a finger begging for extra time. He goes to her and after talking walks back to the centre of the class.

"Okay class, assignment everyone to be submitted on Friday before mooting.'

Everyone groans. Some complain. 'Sir we have exams in 2 weeks.'

"The assignment is not for everyone. If you don't want to do it no problem but don't ask me where your marks went to when you see your score."

"Based on the issue of supremacy of the Constitution compare, contrast and show beyond reasonable doubt the constitutionality of the both cases in relation to the Constitution. Have a good day class."

Hope eyes him as he throttles out. 'Paw-Paw.'

<><><><><><><><><><

Marching out of the faculty building, she spewed a few "HI's" and "Hey's." Osaz yelled, "Islander." She rolled her eyes making sure to ignore him but a smile found its way to her face, her back for his unholy eyes.

She greeted the gateman. "Ehh, my daughter." Walking over to him, she fingered for her purse in the bag before squeezing 200 naira note into his hand.

"O lorun bukan fun o omobinrinmi.'' God bless you my daughter.

"Bye-bye sir." She said crossing the gate.

Along the muddy steeps, a board read "Faculty of Law, University of Harcourt Brace." Underneath it was a smaller print in red, "Since 1968." Every time she passed, she made sure to read it. It was beginning to feel old but she wasn't one to miss any detail. A few steps away from the board was a mango tree. At its foot laid the humming of flies and agama lizards attracted to the rotten fruits. And close by a woman with a child tied to her back in lappa roasted corn. She would turn the corn as if parading it before suitors, then as if realizing it was on fire, she would drag her hand away and hurriedly clean it on her skirt.

Hope stood scanning each vehicle. "Behind Aeronautic?" A shuttle stopped in front of her. She nodded and climbed in as others adjusted. She sighed the day away, relaxing and pinching herself so she wouldn't fall asleep.

Hey guys, I’m back with another update. I like to think of Justice, Law and the City as a Nigerian retelling of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Don’t forget to like and drop a comment. Thank you🙃🥰

You can find me on IG: gracejamescornelius