We all deserve to be free
By solxee
@sol_cee (38219)
Philippines
April 4, 2016 9:26pm CST
I am a fan of novelist John Grisham and I like to read lawyer stories. But I have never been to a court to witness a trial or to a prison house to help someone break out. So when lawyer friend asked me if I want to work part-time as a translator for his Nigerian client whose English he can’t understand, I immediately said yes.
This client fled from his country because of Boko Haram. Personally, it was my first time to know about this terrorist group wreaking havoc and brutally attacking civilians in Nigeria. He’s under refugee status visa something which went bad hence he ended up in Immigration Detention. And then entered my lawyer friend in the picture.
Fast forward to the day of the visit. The facility follows strict security measures which made me a bit nervous. I am also a foreigner and for a while I imagined all crazy things to happen. After the thorough checking and re-checking of our identities and after we were stripped of our smartphones, wallets and other personal belongings, finally we were allowed entry.
The client was cool all throughout the thirty minute query. No crying, no rants, not even a fake tear. From what I gathered, they have talked before- lawyer and client- but because of language barrier, nothing was established. Not even trust. It was surprising to know that he used to be an elementary school teacher in his country but worked in construction sites here to survive.
The client didn’t cry but his eyes revealed all the sorrows in the world. I believed everything he said yet the lawyer friend seemed unconvinced. Or maybe all lawyers find it hard to trust.
We will be back in a few days. I wish the lawyer friend would do his best to help the client. I wish him his freedom. We all deserve to be free.
19 people like this
17 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Do you speak Nigerian sol? I am just trying to understand.
I know the client speaks English (but Native Nigerian) but not understood by lawyer.
This sounds really awful.
I hope for the best outcome also.
I know the red tape for everything, even down to the simplest movement must be checked and rechecked.
You had not heard of Boko Haram? Omg it is so evil. I have read much and many innocents are still in their captivity.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@sol_cee Understood Sol. The lawyer does not seem like he is open to it either by the way you are saying he is not convinced of the clients circumstances.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
@TiarasOceanView Don't you think it's their nature in general? lol
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
21 Apr 16
great that you were able to visit him and show that he has some support in the outside world - hope he any many in similar incarceration are given their freedom soon
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I hope for the best outcome for this guy. Sometimes people who are only seeking freedom and a new life are persecuted when they really shouldn't be. Then there are those who are a danger to others and they are left to go free, and wreak havoc.
1 person likes this
@KuznVinny (768)
• United States
30 Apr 16
I'm not so certain everyone deserves to be free. Certainly not if their intent is to harm others. While I'm not a fan of lawyers (they should have a game season for 'em), I like movies with a courtroom session. Intelligent ones, especially in black & white movies. i prefer detective shows, mysteries, however.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
7 Apr 16
Courtrooms can be nerve wrecking .. I hope your lawyer friend can help ..
@jobelbojel (35648)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
I am also hoping for the best.
I like to buy John Grisham books but I think I have to postpone it for now.
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
6 Apr 16
Great to see you writing again. Yes, everyone deserves to be free and everyone should respect this. I was part of a jury a couple of times and it's very taxing to hear human emotional and physical sufferings..
@JudyEv (340278)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Apr 16
It must be dreadful for some of these people. I do hope you and the lawyer will be able to help him.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
I hope your lawyer friend will be able to help him . Everyone deserves to be free .
I love the books of John Grisham too . 
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
so heart-warming story you have here. Indeed, even pets need to be free, how much more for a person who stayed in a country where freedom is not allowed?
@josie_ (10034)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
I read some articles about boko haram. Educated people like your teacher client are often the target of their atrocities. Your lawyer friend is just doing his job and cannot afford to let emotions cloud his judgment. But like you I hope your client will be allowed to stay and not sent back to his country where his future is uncertain.
