certain high chief heard from gossip that his wife of twelve years of marriage accused him of infidelity in the market place and every Dick and Harry have heard of it. Immediately his brain was shattered and his heart started boiling to the point of no return. He ordered his driver to turn the steering homeward. On reaching home, he met his wife's absence. Instantly his thinking faculty failed like a broken car engine. There and then he commanded his driver to pack all his wife's belongings in Ghana-must-go bags he bought on the way which was six in number. The six heavy bags were dumped in front of the gigantic compound gate.

Eventually the unsuspecting wife drove home in a hired taxi and walked majestically into her marital compound. By that time the enraged chief husband was standing akimbo in front of his mansion with pump action gun and a huge sharp knife. He was ready to do the unimagined that red day. The wife couldn't understand the strange scene she was beholding. She cleared her two eyes and soliloquized, "Is this a dream or reality?" With trembling feet she bent down and greeted the husband as usual. The enraged husband frowned at her and with hoarse voice he thundered like an angry lion, "You bloody monkey and idle gossiper! You are suspended from this house immediately and indefinitely! Carry your belongings in front of the gate and leave this house before I count seven!" Before the bewildered wife could open her mouth to say something, the angry husband released three shots into the air. Then he shouted, "If you don't leave this house immediately, you will see yourself in the world beyond!" Since the dead does not live to recount what happened, the confused wife ran for her dear life. At the gate she looked back and shouted, "I am innocent! God is watching from above!" As the enraged husband was trying to cock his gun, she disappeared into thin air because life has no duplicate.

She went straight to the nearest police station and reported the matter. She was asked to sit down in front of the counter and write her statement. As she was writing, tears were dripping from her eyes like rainfall. Before she could finish writing the statement, the paper was soaked in tears and what she wrote became blurred. As she was handing over the wet statement to the police officer on duty, she was met with consternation. The officer fiercely asked her, "What a mess is this?" She apologized and demanded for another paper. The police officer, who was earlier provoked by his wife at home before coming to office, transferred his aggression on this troubled and suspended woman. Consequently she was driven out of the police station. Her case became more hopeless.

After a second thought she went to the Fire Service to report the matter because fire was over both at her marital home and in the police station she reported first. All she wanted from the fire service men was to rush down to her marital home and put off the complex inferno raging there, which was ignited by her estranged husband. On receiving the emergency report, the fire service men rushed down to the place with dispatch following the given address. Surprisingly they met the huge gate locked from behind and no fire was raging. They went back to their office disappointed. On reaching the suspended woman by phone, she explained to them that the raging fire she reported to them was not physical but burning in her husband's heart.

The above scenario played out in the Nigerian Red Chamber or Senate recently. The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment. Prior to this accusation, the Senate President changed Natasha's seat without her consent. She was sent to the rear seat. She revolted but later sat there. From there she fired several verbal missiles at the Senate President, whom she accused of sexual harassment. Could this be true? Was it why her seat was changed? Later Senator Natasha laid down her written complaint before the National Assembly, which was said to be dead on arrival because the complainant signed the petition herself. Unfortunately she was not given chance to defend herself. She was instantly accused of breaking the Senate's ethical rule. The alleged harasser also denied the sexual allegation without any probe. Before you know it, Senator Natasha was bounced with six months' suspension. Her security outfit was withdrawn and she would forego her salaries and allowances within the long period of suspension. Before leaving the Red Chamber on that fateful day, the suspended Senator ceased the rear microphone and shouted that the suspension cannot hold.

Within few days she traveled to New York and reported the sexual harassment by the Senate President and her consequent intimidation by the Nigerian Senate to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The role of this international union is to promote democratic governance, accountability and cooperation among its members. The Chairlady of the Inter-Parliamentary Union promised to look into the complaint critically and to hear from both sides. The allegation is now internationalized. We wait to see the outcome.

Since the Natasha - Akpabio clash happened, tongues started wagging. Is the allegation true or false? Who is right or wrong? Left for me, the two of them should swear by means of their religious identity. Only God knows what transpired between the lower and higher senators. I heard Akpabio's wife made furious outburst. She exonerated her husband from the sexual allegation. Personally I cannot vouch for anyone. I can only swear for myself. Both Senator Natasha and the Senate President should be scrutinized by an independent body. Since no one is a judge over his case, the Senate President should not preside over the allegation.

The Nigeria's greatest problems are corruption, crucifixion of truth and highly exalted injustice. Our democratic elections are still far from being free and fair, especially presidential elections. The only free, fair and credible presidential election was held on June 12, 1993, which was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida and his cohorts. Few weeks ago IBB told Nigerians the truth after 32 years. Unfortunately the consequences of the annulled election have done more harm than good. The 2023 presidential election was massively rigged by the INEC Chairman and the powers-that-be. To add salt to an open wound, the Judiciary confirmed the disputed result. Justice seems nowadays to be laid at the doorstep of the highest bidder. Surely time will come when a conscience tormented traitor will tell Nigerians who actually won the 2023 presidential election. As I was putting this write-up in black and white, a thought provoking text came into one of the Whatsapp groups I belong to, which reads, "When lies bring people together, the truth will eventually tear them apart. Stay true to yourself. Integrity always wins in the end." This is a delicious and bitter food for thought. Eat and digest it well. If you experience any digestive complication, consult your doctor immediately!