ShortStory I Concealed ill

CONCEALED ILL

       “Engr. Egun.” Dr. Kuku called as he was seated in his office chair.

       “Yes sir.” responded Engr. Peter Egun who sat directly opposite the caller.

       “What is this I am hearing about you?”

       “What is it, sir?”

         Dr. Andrew Kuku had remained hell-bent toward ensuring that things were done the right way. Ever since he popularly emerged as the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering in the revered Otiko Polytechnic situated in the South-South zone of Nigeria, eleven months back precisely, he had ostensibly vowed never to give room for any sort of criminality or immorality, which included truancy, exam malpractice and ‘sorting’, among the overall staff and students of the highly rated department.

        Barely three months back, he recommended a lecturer in the department who allegedly molested female students sexually for dismissal right before the polytechnic Senate. The recommendation became consequential after countless reports received about the serial shameless acts of the alleged randy teacher. Consequently, the teacher in question Engr. Joel Okala was suspended, and upon investigations of a 5-man Committee set up by the polytechnic management, he was thereafter outrightly disengaged.

        Since about twelve weeks ago Engr. Okala was dismissed by the polytechnic Governing Body, every staff not just in the Civil Engineering department but in the entire Otiko Polytechnic had thought it wise to sit up toward averting any form of embarrassment that could be linked to their persons. But as the saying goes ‘there will always be a Judas amid the twelve apostles’, it seemed Engr. Peter Egun was yet another Judas in the midst of the disciples who had strongly vowed to remain committed to their respective duties having witnessed Engr. Okala’s fate.

         Therein, in the office of Dr. Andrew Kuku in the morning on a Monday, precisely at about few minutes past ten, Engr. Egun – a Masters degree holder in Civil Engineering – was about to be orally queried by the boss. The meeting was necessitated by the rumours that had filtered in lately, insinuating that the latter had been busy demanding money from his students in return for good grades. The H.O.D had in the previous day being Sunday called him (Engr. Egun) on phone, instructing him to see him in the office unfailingly on the following day.

       “That you now go about asking students for money,” Dr. Kuku rode on, frowning. “For good grades?”

       “What..?” exclaimed Engr. Egun, stood up.

       “Sit down, sit down.” the boss urged tenderly, gesticulating.

         Engr. Egun resumed his seat as requested, looked not unlike an ex-convict that was just released from the prison yard after many years of imprisonment.

         The dark-skinned and plump Dr. Kuku who was clad in Safari fabric, supported his lower jaw with his left arm that stood erectly on the table. “So you mean,” he said. “All these things I have been hearing are mere unfounded rumours?” He added, keeping his gaze on his (Egun’s).

         The sparingly light-complexioned and slim Engr. Egun quickly adjusted himself as he sat loosely in his seat. “Sir honestly,” he responded. “I don’t really know where this is coming from.” he said, paused. “Why would someone want to paint me black?”   

         “Hmmm…” Dr. Kuku exclaimed. “This is getting interesting.” He thought aloud.

         There was a brief silence.

       “Okay,” said the Doc. “You can take your leave.”

         Engr. Egun who was apparently trapped on the ground, was calm, couldn’t make a move

        “I said,” uttered the boss. “You can take your leave.” He frankly reechoed.

        “You mean,” said Engr. Egun. “I can leave..?” he verified in false pretences, gesticulating.

        “Yes,” replied Dr. Kuku. “Since you have refuted the allegation, what else do you expect me to say?”

          From the reactions thus far, the accused person could sense that the accuser was not yet convinced that he was innocent. “Okay,” uttered the former. “But I would like to ask, sir…” he said, still seated.

        “What is it?” interrupted the accuser.

        “How did you hear such rumour, sir?”

        “Of what need would such information be to you?” responded the boss.

          There was absolute tranquility.

        “I am asking, Engr. Egun?” reminded the Doc. “Why do you want to know how I got the rumour?”

        “No sir,” said Engr. Egun. “Just that…” he added, suddenly stopped.

        “Just what?” uttered Dr. Kuku. “I thought clear conscience fears no accusation?” he hinted. “So, I see no reason you should be worried about this.”

        “I am worried because this is ridiculous.”

        “Let me bother about that.” quoth Dr. Kuku.

        “Besides,” said the junior colleague. “My personality is at stake here.”

          The boss smiled stylishly. “Since you are innocent,” he said. “That shouldn’t bother you at all.” he added, paused. “After all, rumours are constant.”

           Engr. Egun stared at him in silent awe.

         “Now, you can take your leave.”

         “Okay sir.” Engr. Egun replied, stood up and calmly walked towards the door.

           The H.O.D, on his part, leaned on his seat and folded his arms, smiling. “This is the end of the road for you.” He thought, as he keenly watched the accused walked away.

           In a few seconds interval, Engr. Peter Egun was out of the office and headed for his as he was deeply preoccupied with fear of the unknown just like one docked in a court of competent jurisdiction.

         “Okay,” Dr. Kuku said aloud the moment Engr. Egun left. “We shall see.”

          As time went on, Engr. Peter Egun remained jittery, not knowing what the next second entailed. Even if he was innocent, such allegation had a way of making the accused look like an escape goat in the eyes of the public. He was of the notion that since such news had gotten to the H.O.D, virtually every staff in the department must have come across it. This presumption alone made him felt guilty before his colleagues.

        Three weeks on, he was eventually caught in the act. He was spotted in his office collecting gratification from his class representative who acted as an intermediary between him and the students. The H.O.D, Dr. Andrew Kuku was alerted immediately to come and see for himself.

         Afterwards, Engr. Egun joined his ill-fated colleague Engr. Joel Okala. His removal raised uncontrollable uproar among his teeming students who had immensely benefitted from his ‘benevolent’ policy. Some of the affected undergraduates would have seemingly preferred the death of their relatives to their benefactor’s sack.

         After Peter’s dismissal, Dr. Kuku reiterated the riot act of his administration to his workers with a view to ensuring that the likes of engineers Okala and Egun had a rethink.

         However, something unthinkable transpired merely four weeks after the sack of Engr. Peter Egun; Dr. Kuku was caught red-handed having carnal knowledge of one of his female students right in his seeming respected office. That fateful day appeared like the end of the world to the entire staff and management of the department, and of course the polytechnic community.     

         He was dismissed by the institution and handed over to the police for onward prosecution. Consequently, he was jailed for twelve years with hard labour.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
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