"Baba, he's trying to take everything that belongs to me," Ezeofor said with anger. "He thinks because he's educated he can have whatever he wants. Because our father wrote some things on a piece of paper he thinks that paper should be what our fathers property should be shared with. It's not possible. I won't let that happen." He fumed. "That is not our culture. Our culture demands I own all my father's property as his first son"
"Yes baba, that's why we're here to give you this little token. We heard you're the one that will preside over the sharing. Let the bigger portion be in favor of my friend here. And in return he will give you more of this kind of money we just gave you now." Okafor, Ezeofors friend who had accompanied him to Mr Akuomas house added.
"Yes baba, I might even give you some plots of land" Ezeofor said.
Since Ezeofors father died. Peace has been a thing of the past between him and his only brother. They had fought tooth and nail over their fathers property.
Their father, being a wealthy, kind and intelligent man while alive, had sent his youngest son Ndudim to school to study Law. He wanted his son to become a lawyer then come back and fight for the poor who were being oppressed in their land. He was against the regular Injustice in their land. At first he had wanted Ezeofor but Ezeofor had rejected the offer from his father, insisting on staying back to look after the family's property.
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Ndudim on the other hand had graduated with flying colors and returned to their community to fulfill his father's wish. He was a calm and calculative guy who wanted to make a name for himself unlike Ezeofor, his brother. Who believed that what belongs to his father is solely his as the first son of the family.
Their father Mr Odogwu on his death bed had his lawyer draft a will for him, and had given it to his junior brother Mr Akuoma to hold and read to his son's after he was no more. He has foresight that sharing his properties might be a thorn in the flesh between his son's. So he planned to avert the crisis before it happened.
Now Mr Odogwu is gone and already buried. But his properties were yet to be shared amongst his son's.
"I've heard all you have said my son's and I'll do what's best for all men." Mr Akuoma said as he collected the money from Ezeofor and his friend and asked them to leave his house. "You can go we will see on the next market day for the property sharing"
On the next market day which was the D-Day for the sharing of the inheritance. All men were involved and their well wishers were gathered at Mr Akuomas compound waiting for him. Mr Akuoma, a huge man just like his brother, emerged from his house and treated his visitors as he sat down. He addressed them.
"My people of our great land. Sons and daughters of this great community, I welcome you all. Today I don't have much to say but to go straight to why we are gathered here. But before we start I'll like to address Ezeofor, my brother's son." Mr Akuoma adjusted his regalia and continued.
"Your father, my brother, was good and thought good of all men. But it's a shame he gave birth to a son that thinks selfishly unlike his father. You bribed me with a little cash to twist the will of your father in your favour." He raised the cash up before throwing it away to the foot of Ezeofor. "But as you left with your friend that same day, your friend returned with a larger amount of money to bribe me again to put enmity between you and your brother. He wants that while you focus on fighting with your brother he can thrive on your stupidity and sell more palm wine, since you're the biggest palm wine distiller in this land. He believes your products have hindered him from making much sales." Mr Akuoma shook his head in shame as the crowd murmured and Ndudim stared at his brother with shock all over his face. While Ezeofor lowered his head in shame.
"But as a man who believes in equity and fairness as my late senior brother. I'll read his will as he has written." Raising the will in his hands and making sure everyone sees it he continued "And I read."
On the will Mr Odogwu had willed few of his lands to the widows in the community to be shared among them by the village head. He willed that few if his lands be sold and the proceeds used to place two students from his community on scholarship till university level.
And among his son's. Ezeofor being the eldest was given seven plots of land and he was to take over his father's house and also his cars in their community. While Ndudim was given five plots of land and his father's house in the city."
