Chapter 19: Private Investigations

Delving into the past

Emmanuel was grateful for the financial power that gave him the capability to confront his family past finally - even beyond wealth and sophistication. Now the past of his family could finally be met with confrontation as it's being thrust open by this success Power. Over the past years, he had often thought of the uncanny poverty, suffering, and deprivation of his mother and siblings. He had often wondered what happened to his father and mother so suddenly that brought the shame and mockery to them. Today, he is financially able to snoop around for the truth since he has resources.

His first act is to hire a private investigator, Mr. Adebayo, reputed as having spent many years on the profession, such man can be trusted for relevance and discretion. They met in one cozy quiet little café in the city of Onitsha, away from prying eyes. Emmanuel handed a file of all the scanty information he had on Leo Udeh and the corrupt village elders.

"I need to know everything," Emmanuel said, his voice low but firm. "Every detail, every connection, every crime they've committed. No matter how small."

Mr. Adebayo nodded with a serious expression, "This is not going to be easy," he said. "People like Leo Udeh usually covered up their tracks. But I promise that I will find out."

And so Emmanuel leaned in, and his eyes suddenly blazed with determination. "It may be about justice," he said, "I need closure for my mother, for my family. I need to know the truth."

Evidence Gathering

In the weeks that followed, Mr. Adebayo began to untangle for himself what would certainly become the strongest, most completely tangled web of corruption and deceit. Leo Udeh was caught indulging himself in numerous illegalities, from embezzlement through fraud-the list could probably go on. He was well connected, and highly corrupt.

One night, Mr. Adebayo called Emmanuel with a new message. "I got something," he said tensely. "Leo Udeh has been laundering money through shell companies. And it seems there is involvement of some village elders in that."

Emmanuel's heart raced. It was the news he had been waiting for. "Did you get evidence?" he asked.

"Definitely, Mr. Adebayo replied, "but it would take more for it to stick."

Emmanuel's head raced. "Keep digging," he said. Everything you can find has to come under your search.

Emmanuel almost felt sick, outraged and satisfied at the same time. For he had always known that Leo and the elders were sure as hell corrupt suckers, but he was more shocked by the depth of their betrayal. It was risky to reveal the truth, but he had made up his mind to carry it through.

Understanding the Full Extent

That evening, as Emmanuel sat in his cardboard lit office in Onitsha, going through recently delivered papers into his inquiry by Mr. Adebayo, the room was quiet, with only the eerie whir of a ceiling fan and an occasional paper rustle to be heard. His eyes was glancing over the pages, and his mind was focused and alert. Suddenly one name sent a chill down his spine- Chief Ezemmuo.

The name was a ghost from his past, which reminded him of the pain and betrayal that his mother had endured. Emmanuel found his hands trembling as he read further on. According to the documents created by Chief Ezemmuo, the elder had not only been a corrupt village elder, but also involved directly with Leo Udeh and his gang. Worse, according to the documents, Chief Ezemmuo had acted as their witch doctor, giving spiritual interpretation and the privilege to hide their crimes and intimidate persons who stood against them.

Emmanuel's brain was racing with the new information. He remembered the tales of his mother when he was little, regarding Chief Ezemmuo, which spoke of how he had pretended to help her, but was only trying to exploit her weakness. Her voice quivered whenever she recited the horrors she underwent to fight him off and flee.

The Night of Betrayal

The night came flooding back to Emmanuel's memory, clear and unforgiving. He had been a child then but remembered it plainly as if it was yesterday. It was past midnight, and the village was draped in shadows. His mother, Elsie, had been at her wits' end. The village had cast her out and refused her any service, after which she had approached Chief Ezemmuo for help. He had promised her to find remedy and a chance to start again. But the promises were hollow.

Emmanuel remembered how his mother had returned that night: her dress torn, face pale with fear and anger. She had rushed into the house, her breath ragged, and would immediately slam the door behind. Emmanuel and his siblings had been asleep, but the commotion woke them.

"Mama, what's wrong?" Emmanuel asked with a quavering little voice.

She knelt and hugged him tightly her body trembling, "Nothing, my brave boy," she mumbled in a low voice. "Just a bad dream."

But Emmanuel had known that it wasn't a dream. He had seen the fear in her eyes, the way she had glanced over her shoulder like someone was ready to burst through the door any moment. He heard the whispers all around the village the next day about how Chief Ezemmuo had tried to take advantage of her, and how she had fought him off and fled.

That night changed everything for their family. It was the night when Elsie had decided she would leave the village to find a better life in the city. That was the night when Emmanuel made the vow that he would protect his mother at all costs.

The Witch Doctor's Role

Buffeting his face were the cold drafts from outside and the deliberate absence of light. Emmanuel arranged the documents on his table, both of which told chilling stories. Chief Ezemmuo had not been just a predator; he had played an important role in the network of crimes run by Leo Udeh. From these documents, it would unravel that Chief Ezemmuo used his spirit influence to intimidate and influence. He had performed rituals to "guard" Leo and his gang from the law and lent the strength of his office as a village elder to shield them.

One particularly damning document said that Chief Ezemmuo had persuaded a witness to retract their testimony against Leo, on the grounds that the witness would be instigated into a curse should they speak out. Another document stated that Chief Ezemmuo was well compensated for his services and happened to receive money through a series of shell companies.

Emmanuel's hands turned to fists as he read. He thought of his mother, the pain and humiliation she had endured. He thought of everything she sacrificed to save him and his siblings from a fate worse than death...and for the years she would spend battling around remaking her life.

His resolve hardened. He would not rest until justice was served.

The next morning, Emmanuel called Mr. Adebayo. "I need you to focus on Chief Ezemmuo," he said, voice steady, yet full with determination. "Find out everything you can about his association from Leo Udeh. And be careful-he's a powerful man."

Mr Adebayo nodded. "I'll be discreet," he said. "But this is getting dangerous, Emmanuel. These are powerful people. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Emmanuel's voice was firm. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

As evidence continued to mount, Emmanuel prepared himself for confrontation. He reached out to trusted lawyer Mrs. Nwankwo, who specialized in corporate fraud and corruption. Together, they began building a case against Leo Udeh and Chief Ezemmuo.

One night, while they were going over the evidence, Mrs. Nwankwo glanced up at Emmanuel, her expression grave. "This is a very strong case," she confirmed. "But you know it is risky. These two men have powerful friends. Are you prepared for the aftermath?"

Emmanuel nodded, determination refusing to waver. "I've been ready for this my whole life," he said. "I won't be backing down."

Mrs. Nwankwo beamed, the obvious respect she held for Emmanuel showing. "Together, then we see this through," she said.

As Emmanuel walked out of the office that evening, a cocktail of emotions swarmed inside him: anger, determination, and a deep sense of purpose. He knew that it was not going to be an easy journey but he also knew that it was worth the fight. For his mother, for his family, and for, the justice that they deserved, he would carry it through.