POLICE STATEMENT

II

A man reported his case to the law
During a festive season of the year
Of harassment by subterfuge
At the veranda of Monsieur Jonathan

Kids were making a roofing mat
When suddenly, masquerades appeared
The children ran inside the house
Ekpo broke the door, the kids fainted

As simple as this case might seem
It was a challenge to the plaintiff
He couldn’t speak in English
On this case which brought tension

So he threatened to fight the officer
The one detailed to take up his case
You needed to see the confusion
And the pandemonium that followed

As narrated by my good friend
He was right there at the scene:

Ndito children
Eke break nkanya
Ke esa Jonathan
Ekpo daak
Ntuk eyen e run
E enter the house
Ekpo break the door
Ntuk eyen e dies

The police officer on duty
Was from another ethnic group
He asked the people around
What the man was talking about

The chap showed his hands
Also let them see his feet
One by one in acrobatic style
On hearing the word, what?

Frustrated, he fumed
Looked around and exploded in anger:

‘Awot wot nso ke esa Jonathan
Awot uso, awot uka’

Meaning, what are you showing me
At the veranda of Jonathan
Are you showing me your father?
Are you showing me your mother?

His perception of the word, what
With ‘wot’, in his native tongue
Meant to show, so hearing this
From the policeman
Infuriated him and made him vex