By Ghanaman
I have always looked forward to Saturdays. Somehow, they favour me. Maybe it’s because it’s the day I was born, or maybe it’s just superstition, but Saturdays are usually fruitful, especially in my line of hustle.
On this particular Saturday, after completing my shift as a guest analyst on 94.1 Wazobia FM for the 2015 AFCON quarter-final clash between Algeria and Nigeria, I left the studio in high spirits, hoping for another financially rewarding night. The Super Eagles had just beaten Algeria 2–0 in dominant fashion, and I was eager to continue from where they stopped, but this time, on the road.
By midnight, it was clear things were not playing according to the script I had written in my head. It was already a disappointing night by my own standards. Twice, I tried to head home in frustration, yet somehow found myself at Aminu’s suya joint at Ebony Junction eating suya on both occasions.
Eventually, I decided to take Eligbam Road to GRA, link up with some of my guys and join whatever conversation was brewing. That was when a sweet ride landed: GRA to Choba. I told myself, sey na to use am close be that na.
The client chatted me up via the app and asked that I come to The Gibbs Hotel for pickup. I replied that I was already inside the hotel premises so make she dey come down. I didn’t want any delay. I stepped on the pedal and accelerated as fast as I could to get there.
What was meant to be a routine pickup and drop-off, however, escalated into something entirely different.
After about 15–20 minutes of waiting and constant calls, three girls finally walked out and jumped into the back seat, all three looking like they were in a hurry to leave the place.
“Driver, drive make we dey go. Abeg do fast comot for this place,” were some of the commands hurled at me.
Just then, two boys walked out from the hotel lobby, no joy on their faces. They got into their Lexus and tried to leave, but were stopped in their tracks by a waitress who ordered the security men not to open the gate.
I tried to overtake them so the gate could be opened for me to pass, but my car was also flagged down. At that point, confusion set in and my frustration boiled over. I had spent close to 35 minutes inside that place. That’s not how I roll.
I overheard the exchange between the waitress and the boys until one of them transferred money to her and was cleared to leave through the other gate.
That was when I stepped out to find out what the commotion was all about.
The waitress explained that the guy being detained came in with the girls and his own friend. He had asked her to take the girls’ orders but was now refusing to foot the bill. His friend had paid for what the boys took, ₦27,000, leaving a balance of ₦86,900 accumulated by their guests.
The guy swore he would not pay because the girls refused to follow him and his friend back home.
I already knew the gist.
Before stepping out earlier, I had asked the girls why we were being held. The one who booked the ride explained that the guy, a friend, texted her to hang out.
She came out with two other girls, while he showed up with his gee. There was never any discussion about sleeping over, so she didn’t understand why he was insisting they go back with him. Hence, his refusal to clear their bills.
Shii-shii, dem too no get to pay.
Their saving grace was that the waitress was firmly on their side. She insisted repeatedly that the guy had given her the order to serve them and had even asked about the bill at some point.
But once it dawned on him that they wouldn’t play ball, the whole shenanigan started.
When I tried to wade into the matter, the guy asked me, sey if na me, whether I go pay? I just laughed and walked away. I told the security and the waitress to call their manager and the mobile policemen on duty.
I asked the girls to come down, which they did reluctantly, and I was cleared to leave the premises.
Anyhow dem wan settle am, e no concern me.
Na just the one hour wey I waste dey pepper me.
I drove straight home after that.
