Drama of CRIMINAL THREATS
(A man suddenly enters the Chambers in quest of Barr. Ojulari, he is restless and disturbed. Barr. Ojulari hosts him in his office and signal to him to be calm)
MAN: Lawyer please help me. My life is in danger. I may be killed anytime soon. They have given me a letter to that effect.
BARR. OJULARI: Letter? What kind of letter is that? Do you have it here with you?
MAN: Yes Lawyer, this is it. (hands over the letter to Barr Ojulari)
BARR. OJULARI: (Glancing through the letter) This is serious! He threatens that if you don’t do what he is asking from you within three days, that he will accuse you at the Police station for an offence that will be punished with death!
MAN: Yes Lawyer, I am now in fear of death, please help me lawyer.
BARR. OJULARI: He even said that he will kill you by himself if that does not work out for him.
MAN: I don’t want to die young. This man is very dangerous, he can do and undo.
BARR. OJULARI: Whatreally happen between you and this man?
MAN: He sold a land to me about ten years ago, I have made all the necessary documents on that land so that no one can grab it away from me. Because the value of this land has increased, he said he wants his land back!
BARR. OJULARI: Who does that?
MAN: He has taken me to Court to claim that land but I won the case.
BARR. OJULARI: Good!
MAN: Because he could not get it through Court, he is threatening me with death now. I know how dangerous this man is. If he says he will do something, he will surely do it.
BARR. OJULARI: Calm down sir. Do you owe him any amount of money?
MAN: No, though he said I should come and buy that land again, but I did not accept.
BARR. OJULARI: Good! You have done yourself the best thing by coming here. You have to act fast. This letter contains two criminal offences and he will be punished for them accordingly.
MAN: Thank you Lawyer.
BARR. OJULARI: For threatening you that he will kill you in this letter, he has committed the offence called WRITTEN THREAT TO MURDER, he will be imprisoned for seven years for doing that after his conviction.(1)
MAN: Thank you Lawyer. What is the second offence sir?
BARR. OJULARI: By sending you this letter to threaten you that he will accuse you of an offence that is punishable with death so that you will surrender your land to him, he has committed an offence called ATTEMPT AT EXTORTION BY THREAT.(2)
MAN: Huh! Good!
BARR. OJULARI: He will be imprisoned for fourteen years if he is convicted for this offence.
MAN: Thank you Lawyer! What am I going to do for now?
BARR. OJULARI: I will prepare some documents for you to sign now, after then, you and I will proceed to the nearest Police Station to inform the Police for diligent prosecution.
MAN: I am absolutely ready sir!
(The Man uses a handkerchief to wipe the sweat on his face)
REFERENCE(S)
- S323, Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 LFN 2004
- Section 408, Criminal Code Act CAP C38 LFN 2004
