Episode 3; Each day Comes With Its Battles.

With the new week came Tolani’s melancholy. She couldn’t quite figure out its source. Maybe the weekend news had contributed to her demeanour: the abandoned baby found in a receptacle; a mother’s disappearance from the hospital after reporting her baby’s fracture; a step daughter brutalized by her step mother with razor incisions for stealing meat from the pot. Monday morning rush was another kettle of fish. Her melancholy grew even worse as she approached the office.

Blessing seemed ever bright as she welcomed her. Naomi was on her seat, going through the file’s endorsements and Trial note, the fragrance of her fruity hair inundating the air was a huge respite for Tolani as she settled down.

Hi Babes, Naomi greeted.

High Baby Girl! Sniffing in the scented hair mixture.

She had given a thought to chatting with Frank that morning but he was not on his seat.

Veronica, pops in.

My fellow comrades she teased, I went through your legal opinion last week Friday, I think it was a good attempt for a newspaper editorial.

Good morning Naomi said

Really! said Tolani

You should sound like lawyers irrespective of maintaining simplicity. Legal opinions should follow the IRAC structure: I(ssues)-R(ules)-A(rgument)-C(onclusion).

We shall incorporate your comments, Tolani said.

Mind you, civil societies protest, lawyers petition, okay!

By the way how was the weekend?

Great! Naomi reeled, I went to see “The Secrets Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” at Terraculture.

It was an ordinary weekend.I didn’t go out. Tolani sighs. That reminds me, Frank is not here yet, we are scheduled for Case Management Conference before Justice Ajayi at 12pm.

The junior reads the file, all endorsements and trial note, if the matter is slated for trial, Veronica added.

I read the endorsements and pleadings over the weekend.

You took the file home?

Yes.

You’ve not read the rule book have you?

No.

You should, you’re not suppose to take files, or books or any office material home. Naomi take note as well.

Noted. Our appearance cannot be announced in court too, we’ve not been called to bar.

Obviously. You’re only expected to observe, take notes and give a concise report of what happened in the endorsement portion of the file. You should take the Trial note with you too Naomi, follow the Examination-in-Chief pattern for the defence.

The intercoms rings, Veronica picks.

Good morning Sir, she responds.

No he didn’t call me, I’ll stand in for him then.

She drops the call and directs Naomi to meet up with Victor at the High Court of Lagos State extension.

John, the litigation clerk announces his presence after his two weeks leave.

Sho, una don turn this place to girls hostel! Where Oga Frank and Oga Victor?

Naomi greets and leaves in a hurry. She heads back to her seat. I forgot my Evidence Act she announced.

You have to amend the legal opinion today, Veronica continued.

We will.

Can you pass the Landscape Limited’s file.

John helps out. He introduces himself to Tolani.

I’m a youth corp member, so pleased to meet you, she greets.

Madam Vero, have you heard from Frank this morning?

No.

I’m suppose to file Diamond Ltd’s Statement of Defence today, according to the cause list for the week.

He’s suppose to be in court too, unfortunately, I’ll be standing in for him.

Have you called his wife?

She’s not picking up. You no say she no too go school.

How does school affect whether you pick up calls or not. Going to school does not make you “have sense”.

Maybe dem still they celebrate Junior Birthday.

That’s over two weeks ago!

E no dey late come office since I start work three years ago sef.

Veronica checks his PC, proofreads the statement of defence, application for extension of time and notice of compliance. John begins to roll out the print, arranges the exhibits and stamps the necessary documents.

At 11:30am, Veronica, attempts calling Frank, then she sends a text message:

“Hello Frank”, this seems very unlike you. Can you please call back?

Tolani packs up for court, the rules of court in hand, yet she felt like there was something missing on their way. She wanted to ask if she was to bring the Evidence Act along but she figured Naomi was scheduled for Trial and would need it for that purpose.

On arrival, the court looked scant with lawyers and litigants. I doubt if she’ll sit today, Veronica said. Go check the barlist and make enquiries from the registrar.

Tolani returns to Veronica. I forgot my diary, can I have yours? Ajayi is not sitting today. The registrar says he will oblige us with a date after vacation.

Why is that? Veronica struts past Tolani, heading for the registrar.

Tolani’s muse whispers and she begins to write her thoughts on LinkedIn:

Are Women’s Rights Human Rights: Reevaluating Our Jurisprudence and Cultural Mores.

In contemporary Nigeria, it’s quite surprising that Sexual and Reproductive Rights are still resisted in public discourse, a topic relegated to the limbo in the face of its burgeoning population, numeric strengths are yet to be translated into economic might whilst women comprising about 30% of its workforce are faced with medical issues ranging from infertility, hemorrhage and sepsis to mention a few.

Women’s sexual and reproductive rights in Nigeria has not only been suppressed and scandalized by mores, its jurisprudence in Penal and Criminal Codes criminalises abortion. Its discriminatory and prohibitive stance leaves no room for legal abortion in cases where conception is a result of rape, where a woman’s physical and mental health is in danger or where she has no socioeconomic means to raise child(ren).

It is therefore imperative for medical associations, civil society groups, women associations and religious institutions to assume full responsibility in educating and propagating information on sexual and reproductive health especially among women living in suburbs and rural areas.

According to betterhealth.vic.gov.au, every woman should have access to accurate, impartial and up-to-date sexual and reproductive health information that gives her autonomy as well as regulates her choices and decisions on healthy and respectful relationships, health services that are inclusive and safe, effective and affordable methods of contraception, access to timely support and quality health service in relation to unplanned pregnancy.

Studies show that developed countries with good family planning structures and high contraceptive prevalence rates have low abortion rates compared to developing countries like Nigeria, which accounts for over one million abortion rates ( increasing by the year) since 2010. This implies that its legal position on sexual and reproductive rights has not impacted better choices in sexual activities/relations and reproduction. In addition, its shaming cultural mores have led more women into secrecy, using unsafe pills, herbs and even subjecting their bodies to crude abortion practices carried out by quacks and indiscriminate abandonment of newly born babies.

If women’s rights are human rights, our legislations and policies encapsulating women sexual and reproductive rights should be revisited and reviewed. Nigerians should also rethink their predominant values which stigmatizes children born out of wedlock and vilifies unmarried pregnant women, leaving out the men who are active participants of these cultural menace.

She hashtags #WomenRights #HumanRights #Culture #Mores #NigerianJurisprudence #MondayMuse.

Veronica wanders at John’s missed calls as they make their way to the car park, then Victor starts calling too. She drives back to the office faster than usual. Tolani is engrossed with her posts. On arrival, Blessing seats at her desk with a forlorn expression, John seemed distraught as well. The atmosphere loomed with tragedy and Veronica was sure that something, somebody had gone awry. Tolani sat helplessly trying to extract words from Blessing.

Where’s Victor? Veronica enquired.

Frank lost his son during the weekend, Victor said, as he made his way to the lobby,they found his body floating in the well on Sunday morning.