Saturday 21st August 2021 Devotion
Scripture:- John 8:1-24
Topic:- The Distance Between Guilt And Peace Is The Truth
In August 2020, I was in one of the Correctional Centers (Prison) in Kano State, to see a Client.
As soon as I was done with my Client, a young man of about 27 years of age came close and squatted before me with teary eyes.
Then he said to me, “Barrister, please help me out, I don’t have anything and I don’t have anybody.”
Though I was in hurry I was moved by his demeanor, so I had to listen to his full story.
To cut the long story short, he was arrested alongside 1 other young man about 2 years before that day, and they were both charged to Court for the offenses of:
1. Criminal Conspiracy.
2. Housebreaking
2. Theft.
They were arraigned in the Magistrate Court in which they both denied committing the offenses.
The Court granted them bail, but this man who has now become my Client had no one to take him on bail as his surety.
So whilst the other man fulfilled the bail conditions and was released, my own Client remained in Custody without trial all these years.
I decided to help him out not minding what it would cost me.
I was able to locate the Court that was handling his case, and a date was fixed for the HEARING (trial) of the case.
The day came and I announced my appearance for him as the Defence Counsel, the Court’s officials and staff were surprised that a Lawyer would accept to stand for him…
I wouldn’t know the reasons for their surprise, but I was surprised at their surprise.
I never mind whatever their thoughts or words were, I just focused on the business of the day.
That very day, I tried to secure his bail, then the Magistrate told me the Court had already granted him bail but he couldn’t provide anyone to stand for him, so the best we could do for him then, was to commence hearing and see how we could conclude the case and decide his fate in time Whilst he remained in prison custody.
I looked at my Client and all I could see was the smile on his face, the smile of hope and assurance that he has someone to defend him…
That day we couldn’t do much so we picked another date to enable us to commence the case properly.
By my calculations then, by the next 2 sittings of the Court, we should have concluded the whole Case.
But something happened that led to this write-up.
The fixed date came and we got to the Court, and Myself, the Prosecutor, and the Magistrate were all set and ready for the case.
As soon as the Case was mentioned, my Client raised his hand, a sign that he wanted to say something to the Court.
I was wondering what it was that he wanted to say that he couldn’t inform me earlier to guide him?
The Judge gave him go-ahead to speak, then he said, “I want to change my plea.”
Earlier on I was informed he pleaded guilty to the second charge (House Breaking) while he denied the first and third Count charges.
Now he wants to change his PLEA from NOT GUILTY to being GUILTY (accepting to have committed all the offenses.)
The Magistrate was startled and looked towards my direction as if we planned it.
I quickly stood up and pleaded with him to give me a stand-down of 10 minutes to talk with my Client.
The Magistrate obliged me, so I took him out while the Prison Warder followed us to ensure he didn’t run away.
After much talk, he said to me in Hausa Language, “Barrister gaskiya na aikata wanan lefikan, ba zana yi Karya ba.”
meaning that “Barrister I committed these offenses I won’t lie.”
I asked him again if he was sure he wasn’t being forced to say this?
He nods his head sideways to say he was sure of what he was doing.
So we went back to the Court Room and the charge was read to him afresh, with his eyes so redish and full of tears, but ready to damn the consequences, he pleaded guilty to all 3 counts of the charge.
A summary trial was conducted immediately and he was convicted and sentenced accordingly.
He was to serve 6 months imprisonment for all the offenses or in the alternative, he should pay some thousands of Naira as a fine for each offense.
He was taken back to the holding cell within the Court premises.
Whilst in the holding Cell, I went to meet him; this time he was looking Relieved and happy like he has just done the right thing worthy of honour.
He said to me, “Barrister, at least now I know my fate and in few months I shall be out of prison. Thank you so much and God bless you.”
Men! Hearing these words from a Prisoner, I got goosebumps all over my body.
I left him there to go somewhere to let the tears ganging up in my ears flow freely.
Situations like this get me very emotional…
Two hours later, I decided to go back to the Court, I pleaded with the Registrar to allow me to see the Magistrate in respect of my case, I was allowed to see Him in the Chambers…
And without further ado, I quickly briefed him on the gist of the case again, (this time around very soberly) and reiterated how my Client has suffered this long and how he might become more hardened if he is kept much longer…
So I concluded by saying; “Your Worship, I know I don’t deserve this favour, but please can the FINE be reduced so I can pay for him? I wouldn’t want him to go back to that place again.”
It was like I struck the chord of pity and love in his heart. He looked at me and said, “call me the Registrar.”
Quickly like Usain Bolt, I went out to call on the Registrar, who was outside trying to have his lunch.
The Magistrate asked him, “Is there any work that needed to be done within the Court’s premises?”
At first, I was confused by the question, but I later got to understand when the Registrar responded.
The Registrar answered; “Yes sir, the entrance towards the main gate is dirty and needs to be cleaned up.”
Then the Magistrate ordered and said;
“Bring out that man from the Cell to sweep and clean it up and afterward, let him go,”
What! As in letting him free?
That wasn’t wanting I asked for, though it’s what I needed at the moment just that I couldn’t ask for that…
Chai! With joy, I bowed and thanked the Magistrate, then I left to give the breaking news to my Client who was in the holding Cell and unaware of what had just happened.
He couldn’t believe it when I told him until he saw the Prison Warder coming to bring him out to serve his punishment.
Lessons:
The TRUTH is a weapon for securing true freedom.
This man has been in denial of what he did for over 2 years and that has kept him in Prison and in shame longer than he should have been.
The guilt has caged him and brought him more pains than he had bargained for.
The day he decided to speak out he got more than he ever imagined. Freedom!
By saying the truth, he got his long-lost peace restored.
My dear, as long as you keep living in denial of what you are guilty of, it becomes extremely difficult to get inner peace.
Unlike the human Judges and Courts who convict to punish, God convicts to forgive and pardon.
The distance between bondage and freedom is THE TRUTH.
The distance between Guilt and Peace is THE TRUTH.
The Truth is set free.
The truth brings inner peace.
The truth brings respect.
The truth matures you.
The truth brings favour.
The truth brings pardon.
We have lived so long in the valley of lies and deception, it’s time to climb the mountain of Truth and sincerity.
The truth about the TRUTH is this; it doesn’t need a LIE to stand. Only the truth CAN support the truth.
Prayer Point:-
Oh Lord God, help me to know the truth so as to be free indeed henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Wonderful Saturday!
