Modupe, 39
Real names withheld for the purpose of privacy.
Disclaimer: WIPSI does not support or condone criminal activities in any capacity. Our mission is to ensure access to justice, fair punishment aligns with the severity of the crime as well as uphold the right to a fair trial while also working to educate those lacking access to justice and victims of ignorance, prioritising the wellbeing of society and the individuals involved.
Wale awoke on a Tuesday morning, his heart brimming with joy. With school out of session, his days were dedicated to the pure bliss of playing football on the sandy field tucked away on the outskirts of town, accompanied by his band of friends. For any 7-year-old, this was the epitome of a dream come true.
So enthralled was Wale by the magnetic pull of the sand field that he would willingly trade attending Sunday church services just to extend his moments of football euphoria. The previous day, Modupe, his mother, had ushered him home earlier than usual, citing an impending marathon of cooking that demanded all available hands. In consolation, she assured Wale that the upcoming Tuesday was entirely his to revel in on the field. Her words lingered in the air, granting him the freedom to play from the break of dawn until the curtain of night descended, “If you like, you can play from morning to night.”
The morning unfolded with abundant hope for Wale. Brimming with excitement, he proudly informed his sister, Imisi, “Mummy said I can go and play after I must have had my bath and cleaned up the room.” With that proclamation, he leaped from their shared bunk bed and dashed out of the room, eager to seize the day.
Wale gathered his bathing essentials in one hand and a bucket of water on one hand. He would usually boil his water to take a bath, however, this morning, he didn’t care much for the feeling of coldness he was about to expirience from this bath. His mother, amused by his uncharacteristic choice, teasingly remarked, “Ahn ahn, you’ll not boil your water today?” A ripple of laughter echoed through their compound as others joined in on the playful banter. Unfazed, Wale clutched his bucket of water and headed to the bathroom.
In a whirlwind of enthusiasm, he darted in and out of the bathroom, sparing little time for the bar of soap. In less than five minutes, Wale emerged, refreshed and ready for the day’s adventures, his eagerness to dive into the world of football evident in every step he took.
As Wale stepped into the room, Imisi burst into laughter, finding amusement in his hasty bathing escapade. Unfazed, Wale ignored her playful mockery, determined to uphold his end of the bargain. Swiftly, he scooped up his scattered toys from the floor, his voice ringing out as he directed Imisi to do the same with hers. When she continued to play with her dolls, seemingly indifferent to his instructions, Wale, not willing to jeopardise his chance to play, took charge and began picking up her toys as well.
As the room slowly transformed from a scattered playground to a semblance of order, a muffled exchange of voices from outside caught Wale’s attention. The second voice, strangely resembling his mother’s, stirred curiosity. Imisi, sensing something out of the ordinary, sat up on the bed and exchanged a puzzled glance with her brother. Without exchanging words, they shared a silent agreement. Imisi gestured towards the door, signalling for them to investigate the source of the voices together. In unison, they moved towards the door, ready to uncover the mystery unfolding outside.
Outside, Wale and his older sister, Imisi, observed their mother engaged in a heated argument with an elderly woman who appeared to be in her fifties. The woman’s face triggered a sense of recognition in Wale’s mind, leading him to think, “Isn’t that the woman from the next house?” His suspicion was confirmed; it was indeed their neighbour.
Attempting to eavesdrop without being noticed, Wale and Imisi strained to catch snippets of the conversation, careful not to attract their mother’s attention. The exchanges between the two women were intense, the older woman unleashing a barrage of abusive words that struck Wale with a mixture of shock and confusion. Some of the words were unfamiliar to him, yet their tone conveyed a severity that hinted at their inappropriateness.
Fearful of being reprimanded by their mother, Wale and Imisi lingered in the shadows, grappling with a mixture of curiosity and concern as the argument between their mother and the neighbour unfolded before them. The unexpected nature of the confrontation left a palpable tension in the air, making it a scene that neither sibling could easily dismiss from their thoughts.
The shocking scene unfolded before Wale’s eyes as the argument escalated into a physical assault. The older woman, overcome by rage, resorted to violence against Wale’s mother. Wale, torn between fear and a desire to protect his mother, contemplated rushing out to intervene. The internal struggle for courage gripped him, and just as he was about to step forward, he witnessed a sudden, unexpected turn of events.
The elderly woman slumped to the ground, appearing lifeless. A wave of disbelief swept over Wale as he processed the dramatic shift in the situation. His mother, now alarmed, began to shout and call for help. In the blink of an eye, the tranquillity of the day shattered, replaced by the urgency of the unfolding crisis.
Soon, the wailing sirens of approaching police cars pierced the air. As law enforcement arrived on the scene, the surreal nature of the day escalated. To Wale’s bewilderment, instead of the older woman being the one escorted away, it was his mother who was placed in handcuffs and taken to the police station.
The day, which had begun with joy and excitement, ended in a heartbreaking twist for Wale. The abrupt separation from his mother cast a sombre shadow over the once-promising day, leaving Wale to grapple with the sudden and harsh realities of the world around him.
Modupe is currently in jail awaiting trial, with both her children being witnesses to the incident. She has not been before any court yet because the DPP advice has not been issued. She is however not without legal representation. WIPSI is committed to following up with her case and making sure that the DPP advice is out for a proper trial.
