Mawufemor was abruptly awoken at dawn one early morning, exactly one week after being held in the Ho Police cells. It was the In-Charge, who had a gloomy expression.
“My son, be prayerful. God loves you.”
“What have I done this time?” Mawufemor inquired, still partly asleep.
"Young man, hmmm. I want you to know that you have a wonderful destiny, but the devil is out to destroy it,” the officer continued speaking.
Mawufemor was emotionless as he sat in his cell. He had become so accustomed to false accusations that he anticipated them every time. Due to his stammering, he always had difficulty expressing himself, especially in emotionally charged situations. His coping mechanism over the years was to remain silent when accused and accept the consequences. He came to this conclusion because he frequently heard individuals assert that people only stammer when they intend to lie.
The In-Charge said, "What I am going to tell you, my son, will blow your mind! The world is not what we believe it to be. Evil people exist everywhere!"
Mawufemor hoped he could tell him to get to the point so that he could return to his sleep. Mawufemor's life was about to be transformed, however, by the story the in-charge told.
It transpired that Elorm, daughter of Reverend Amenuveve, had been missing for some days. She was found in her boyfriend's home with large sums of money in the form of dollars and cedis notes. Additionally, the police discovered drugs in their possession and notified her father, Reverend Amenuveve.
She admitted under interrogation that she, and not Mawufemor, had stolen the money from her parents. This made the police more suspicious, so they demanded to know the truth about Mawufemor's alleged rape. She admitted to fabricating the story and framing Mawufemor in order to avoid punishment from her father after he discovered them in the compromising scenario.
The reverend, fearful her daughter would be imprisoned for the admissions she had made, had offered to settle the case out of court by offering a reward of 20,000 cedis to the police. However, the police rejected the offer, citing him for attempting to bribe officers.
"As it stands today, my son, you are a free man. The God you serve is faithful," the officer concluded. "Under normal circumstances, innocent people are imprisoned for years before the truth is revealed."
Mawufemor pursed his lips to suppress smiling.
"But in your instance," the officer added, "the truth came out on two occasions, right before you were processed for court!"
Mawufemor sat motionless and silent.
"But tell me, why do you always allow yourself to be wrongfully accused?"
"Because you won't believe me," Mawufemor explained, "you hit me—you slap me every time I attempt to talk because you people think I'm stammering because I want to tell a lie."
The officer in command dropped his head in shame. When the CID questioned Mawufemor about the matter three days ago, he insisted that he was innocent and that he was being framed. He, the commander, became enraged and went over to punch Mawufemor numerous times. Then he directed his men to beat him again.
“My son, I am sorry. I was just doing my job...”
“Never mind,” Mawufemor cut in, “I understand. I have forgiven you.”
In an unusual turn of events, the in-charge opened the cell door, went inside, and hugged Mawufemor tightly. Both men began to cry. The scenario was so emotional that the other officers began sobbing as well.
Later that morning, the police arrived at the station with Rev Amenuveve and his daughter, Elorm. They had been arrested and brought to the station for their involvement in Mawufemor's detention. Elorm was arrested for bearing false witness and stealing, while her father was detained for attempting to pay police officers to pervert the course of justice. Mrs Amenuveve had accompanied them to the station, pleading.
Mawufemor was released from his confinement after some consultations and paperwork. He was overcome with emotion at seeing Elorm and her father. They were sent to the same cell from where Mawufemor was liberated. They were both in tears.
Mawufemor then staged an incident at the station. He got down on his knees and pleaded for the freedom of Elorm and his father. He contended that because he had already endured the punishment for their wrongdoing, there was no need for them to bear the punishment as well. But the officers were adamantly opposed.
The station was filled with drama for the next three hours. The in-charge attempted numerous times to talk Mawufemor out of his obvious folly, but Mawufemor was convinced he knew exactly what he was doing. In fact, he had refused to leave the station unless Reverend Amenuveve and his daughter were released.
"Please listen to me, my son," the in-charge urged. “These are the folks that lied about you and ruined your life. And even when the truth was revealed, they sought to pay their way to suppress the truth in order to put you behind jail! Are you aware that this evil pastor was paying us to plant additional evidence against you so you'll get a stiffer sentence?"
"It doesn't matter now," Mawufemor begged.
“No, it does!” the in-charge slammed!
"I am a Christian, Sir," Mawufemor explained, "and the bible teaches us to forgive one another!"
"Oh, cut that nonsense!" The in-charge intervened. "Did the man who has been preaching that to you bother to put it into practice when he thought you had wronged him? And, after he discovered the truth, did he care to stick to it?"
Mawufemor took a big breath and said, "No sir, but it doesn't mean I should do another wrong. According to the Bible, "love keeps no record of wrongs."
“And so?” the CID chirped in.
"Yes, and so?" The in-charge concurred.
"Yes, and I chose to forgive them!" Mawufemor responded solemnly. "I wouldn't be satisfied if I walked out of here a free man and saw these individuals who were gracious enough to take me into their home and make plans to enhance my life stay in the cells only because of me."
"I realize they have wronged me, but would they be in this position if they hadn't tried to help me?" Mawufemor continued. “Would Reverend Amenuveve be in cells today if he hadn't come over to pick me up and take me to his home?"
Then he recounted what the Amenuveves had done for him and promised to do for him. He emphasized that, while he was not returning to the Amenuveves, he wanted them to enjoy their freedom and appreciated their willingness to assist him. Finally, he told the cops that he wanted to leave the police cells a free man—in body, soul, and mind—and that he didn't want to stay in a mental prison because of individuals who had hurt him.
Following his answers, the CID and the in-charge met, after which they called the regional headquarters, and Rev Amenuveve and his daughter were released. There was excitement and gratitude in the air, as well as sorrow, remorse, and cautions.
After the repentant Amenuveves failed to persuade Mawufemor to accompany them home, they drove away, leaving Mawufemor alone with his new police pals.
"Can I spend a few days at the station?" Mawufemor inquired of the in-charge.
The officer in charge burst out laughing.
“That wouldn’t be necessary, my son!” the officer said.
“We have a surprise for you!”
TO BE CONTINUED...
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