Chapter 1: Midnight Knock

For middle of the night, na so police come knock my door. Mosquito hum for my ear, the air thick with Ajegunle gutter smell.

My body just dey chill like person wey dey sleep for cold rainy season, slippers still dey drag for my leg. The knock loud like say na landlord dey chase debtor. For this our Ajegunle, na only big wahala fit make police show face for midnight. My mind just dey turn, I dey wonder who carry my matter reach police hand for this kind odd hour, as dem dey bang my door with that their usual authority.

Dem tell me say one woman accuse me say I molest her three-year-old pikin.

My mouth open, but no word come out. I look the officer two times, sure say e no dey joke. For this Naija, this kain accusation fit kill man reputation sharp-sharp. My heart just dey cut, dey beat like talking drum. Na so I just stand, hands dey shake, as police dey look me with that kin face wey no get pity.

I no even get chance change my slippers before dem carry me straight go station for Ajegunle.

I try beg them make I at least find my phone or talk to person, but dem no gree. As I dey walk for that corridor, slippers dey clap for ground, all my neighbours eyes dey my body, dem dey whisper. For Ajegunle, once police carry you midnight, everywhere go hear the gist by daybreak.