"You may now begin your closing statement," The crown stands as the judge makes an announcement.

Considering everything that has been stated and heard in court, I don't believe Jeff will be released, but my father might.

"My Lord, the cocaine-filled bag discovered in Chief Wole Anderson's residence proves that he and his personal assistant, Jeffery Okoh, intend to trade the drugs. Michael Anderson, the accused's son, acknowledged throughout his testimony that his father is a drug trafficker. They ought to be held accountable for their role in this drug trafficking act." The Crown is seated.

"Defense, you may proceed." Dad's attorney is standing while the judge speaks.

"My Lord, you have heard today that Chief Wole Anderson has nothing to do with the cocaine-filled suitcase discovered in the office of his PA, Jeffery. You are aware that the doctor confirmed his son Michael was under the influence of alcohol when he made such a statement about my client to defend Jefferey, who was responsible for the luggage discovered in his office. My Client has no awareness of the suitcase. His personal assistant Jefferey, in his case, testified and acknowledged that in the nine years, he has known my Client, he has never seen him distribute drugs. In light of this, Chief Wole Anderson shouldn't be punished. He is innocent."

I hear my sister's voice next to me as Dad's attorney is speaking.

"He's not innocent," She shouts in such a way that it draws attention to our seats, and by the time I get to get a glimpse of her, she has already stood up.

She says again, "He is not innocent."

"Do you have any evidence for your claim?" The Judge responds.

My sister responds, "Yes, he admitted to me that he is the owner of the suitcase containing cocaine seized in his PA office."

Dad's attorney intervened, saying, "You don't have any evidence to support the claim, Miss Olivia."

"I have evidence that he confessed to me" I gasp in disbelief as Olivia replies.

"Please appear at the witness stand," My sister moves toward the witness at the judge's urging. No one here, perhaps except for my dad, is aware of what she is doing, I'm sure.

She takes the oath and introduces herself to the court after entering the witness box, and the judge then starts questioning her.

"Who are you to the defendant or the co-defendant?"

"I'm Chief Anderson's biological daughter and Jefferey's girlfriend," She explained.

"What evidence do you have to present to the court?"

Olivia responds while displaying her phone, "I have an audio recording of my father confessing to me he owned the suitcase found in Jeff's office."

To make it audible to everyone in the court, the clerk went to get her phone and connected it to a Bluetooth speaker.

"Dad, what the hell is going on? Why would Michael make such a statement?"

"Since we don't get along, I have no idea, but I suspect he and Jeff planned this."

"I know my brother very well..."

"Remember that he was drunk, so he made that statement while under the influence of alcohol,"

"No, Dad, he had gone live before he drank off the alcohol,"

"Just because his friends said it doesn't mean it's true,"

"Father, I need nothing but the truth from you."

"Please don't tell me you believed what your brother said about me,"

"What do you anticipate from me? I know my brother. What if this is the reason he isn't on good terms with you?..."

"Olivia!"

"I have been seeing signs that Michael is not in favor of you winning the election, and even when I found the suitcase, you asked me not to notify the NDLEA, but I insisted. I, not you, was the one who told the NDLEA officer. But you lied to the journalists, saying that "my daughter and I informed the NDLEA." At this point, Olivia's tone became sterner than before. "I only did, so you look me in the eyes now and tell me you do not own the fucking cocaine that I found in Jeff's office," She said.

"I owned the suitcase, Jeffery was supposed to deliver them for me instead of going to the station to release Michael on bail,"

"What!"

"I'm sorry,"

"How long have you been doing this?" Olivia shouts louder.

"Hey, I can't be telling you everything, I'm in detention."

"I don't give a damn, so you answer me. How long have you been engaged in dealing drugs?"

"For over ten years now,"

"What?"

"I'm very sorry you and Michael know me in this way. And I promise to change for the better if you can cover me by you staying away from this," My father begs. "I promise to also get Jeff out of jail and I will approve your relationship with him,"

At this point, my sister openly scoffs and then exclaims, "I can't believe you are trying to buy me off,"

That was what he always does, I thought.

The audio recording then stopped.

"Does the crown wish to cross-examine the witness?" The Judge queries.

 "No, my Lord," As he stands, the crown responds. "But I would like to have the audio recording marked and request that it be admitted into evidence," 

"The audio recording will be admitted into evidence," The judge retorts, and the crown seats.

"Would the defense like to cross-examine the witness?" When the judge asks, Dad's attorney stands.

As I had anticipated, He responds, "Yes, my Lord."

"Miss Olivia, you mentioned having a relationship with your father's personal assistant, Jefferey."

"Yes, I was," Olivia replies and casts a glance toward Jeff.

"Did you ever think for a moment that your father made that confession for you because you were heartbroken finding that about your boyfriend Jeffery,"

"Oh! Please spare me that," Olivia replies in a hurry. "My father didn't even like that we were dating, much less feel sorry for me when I learned about the cocaine. All my father was trying to do was avoid being exposed," My sister continues.

 "I have no further question, my Lord," Dad's lawyer responds and sits down. I laugh out loud, making fun of my father's lawyer for having run out of questions to ask my sister after hearing her response.

I quickly stopped laughing when I realized that I had attracted everyone's attention, including the judge. I forgot I was in court.

"I apologize, my Lord," I say. "That won't happen again,"

The judge ignores me and says, "Thank you, Olivia, you may leave the witness box,"

Olivia stepped down and came to sit back next to me.

As the judge examines certain files, there are a few moments of silence in the courtroom.

I mutter to my sister, "You did amazing there."

"I don't find that to be flattering." When she responds with a frown, I clear my throat since I don't know what more to say.

I should be disappointed in myself that I couldn't do anything all this while.

"Thank you, counsel." When the judge finally breaks the awkward silence, I attempt to focus on him even though my heart is pounding.

"I paid close attention to the testimony of the witnesses, the lawyers' arguments, and the evidence offered by all parties. I considered the reliability of the witnesses as well as the strength of the evidence. I thought about the elements of the crime and whether the prosecution had established them beyond a reasonable doubt. I also took into account any objections made by the defense. I announced my verdict after some deliberation,"

At this point, I was even more frightened.

"I found the defendant, Chief Wole Anderson, guilty of drug possession and trafficking and sentenced him to 25 years in prison."

I was relieved when the Judge found my father guilty of the charge, now we await Jeff's verdict.

"I found Jeffery Okoh, the co-defendant, not guilty. Jefferey Okoh is free. I appreciate everyone's patience and understanding." The judge makes a ruling, and the courtroom fills with mumbled chatter.

"Order in the court," The clerk states.

"All rise," Everyone stands as the judge exits the courtroom. While Jeff steps out of the dock to meet his family, the officers went to handcuff my father, and he followed them outside.

Given how joyful Jeff's mother seemed to be at the moment, I can't even begin to picture how she would have reacted if the judge had ruled her son guilty.

When we step outdoors, a few reporters rush over to us carrying dictaphones.

"Could you tell us your thoughts on the Judge's decision?" A woman queries.

"Miss Olivia, are you thinking about protecting your father's reputation in the first place for not turning over the evidence you have to the state?" The other lady inquires.

What the hell is this?

I instantly interject, "She is not going to answer that. And you should give us some space..." I am saying this when Dad's bodyguard arrives with the other two security guards.

They stand guard as we walk to Mom's car, enabling us to ignore the reporters who are still coming our way and following us while desperately attempting to pose their ridiculous questions.

This guy claims he will take the wheel on my father's instruction as we get into the parking lot. We agreed, and I sat down next to him in the front seat while Olivia and Mum sat in the rear.

After that, he rides off the court.