THE VINDICATION

Mama Adaugo could barely because she hadn't eaten in days but the women behind her told her that if sh didn't walk they would continue beating her with the tree branches. As Mama Adaugo was walking to the Dibia's shrine a crowd full of women followed her behind. The women were chanting songs of shame at her. Some.of the women were pushing her as some were beating her with leaves. A black wrapper was tied round her waist with black charcoal rubbed on her face. As they got to the Dibia's shrine Mama Adaugo was ordered to sit on the floor. Her husband's brothers and his uncles had brought her to the shrine to swear that she didn't kill her husband Papa Adaugo. Six weeks ago Papa Adaugo had died of suspicious circumstances. Mama Adaugo had been kept in a to for seven days without food or water because she refused to drink the water had husband's was bathed with. She had told her in-laws that she was a Christian and she doesn't practice such culture. Not too long the Dibia came outgo meet them. He commanded the women to stop chanting and stay quiet. Immediately he handed her a bowl of concoction and told her to eat it. She was hesitant but her husband's elder brother Iche Ayanwu forced her to eat it. After eating the concoction she was asked to round a black statue and swear three times about her innocence. The Dibia handed a horn that had red charms tied round it. She was to swear three times with the charmed horn that if she killed Papa Adaugo let thunder from Amadioha strike her to death. She sweared three times as she went round the black statue three times. After swearing nothing happened. Everyone was amazed that nothing had happened to her. Not too long the crowd began to hear the rumbling sound of the thunder. Everyone was happy at the sound they were hearing because they believed Mama Adaugo was finally going to see the wrath of the gods. They all began to praise Amadioha for his quick judgement and how mighty he can be. The rumbling thunder sound came closer but it stroke her husband's younger brother Obinna instead. In amazement everyone left the Dibia's shrine thinking of how the thunder stroke Obinna and not Mama Adaugo. The Dibia shouted at her in-laws to carry his corpse before his blood defiles Amadioha's holy ground.