Ibezim

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I sell clothes on the (Lagos) Island. I collect N10,000 as salary. In fact, Ada and two other girls who stayed in the same room with me were also marketers on the Island.

Which girls?

Chika and Chinonye.

Where were you staying?

No. 25 Ayorinde Street, Ajegunle.

Since when have you been staying there and where did you girls met?

One aunty was staying in that house before. Her name is Nkechi. She left the room for Chika and I last year. She moved to another apartment because the house was going to be demolished. But we stayed there anyway, and till now, they have not demolished it. It was Chika that brought Chinonye. Then this January, she brought Ada.

Where were you before?

I was squatting with a friend. Then I squatted with Nkechi. Before then, I was in the village.

Where?

Umuahia in Abia State. I was staying with my parents. Then in 2008, I came down to Lagos to fight for my future. My mother is a teacher and my father is retired.

And they supported your coming to Lagos to squat?

I had to come to better my life. And they know I am in Lagos. I came with a friend. My mum had three of us for my father, and my father had two other children from earlier marriage.

You said Chika brought Chinonye and Ada to the house. I believe you didn't like the arrangement.

No, I liked both of them. We were friends.

So what happened on Saturday?

Ada was the first to use a bucket to wash clothes. When she had finished, I collected it from her in order to fetch water. When I came back, Chinonye asked why it took me so long to finish with the bucket. I told her to mind her business because I did not know that we had started timing ourselves. We started arguing. As we argued, Ada came in and asked what the problem was. Chinonye told her and she started blaming me.

Why was that?

I don't know. All I knew was that she supported Chinonye. We started exchanging harsh words and then began to fight. Before they could separate us, she bit me on my hand and chin. Then one of our neighbours came and separated us.

So where did the issue of razor blade come in?

After they had separated us, we went outside and fought again.

Who prompted the fight?

She was still abusing me, so I answered her and we started fighting again.

Where did you get the razor blade from?

I took it from the room.

You mean after you started quarrelling, you went into the room and took it?

No, it was in my hand when I came out to respond to her.

So, you wanted to provoke her so that you would have an opportunity to teach her some sense.

No, that was not my intention.

What was you intention?

I only went outside to respond to her comment, and we started to fight again. The razor blade only happened to be in my hand. I did not plan to use it.

If the slashing was not intentional, how come you cut her on the face so many times?

That is not true. I cut her only once. It was a deep cut. I don't know about any other cut.

But the report was that she bent down and you held her head in your armpit and started slashing her.

That is not correct. We were fighting, and after she bit me inside the house, I did not want her to bite me again. I was just trying to fight her off. I did not know that I would cut her.

If the slashing was a mistake, what did you do after you saw the seriousness of the injury?

They did not allow me to do anything. They rushed her to the hospital and took me to the police station.

What are you hoping for now?

I am not happy at the way things turned out. My parents are not even aware of it. I pray that I get out of this.