Everybody knew okiemute commited the crime. However he denied it.
According to tradition, he has to prove his innocence by swearing to the village deity.
Taking up one omen from a small cauldron to a few yards from his mouth, he spoke; "If I am guilty of these accusations, may I cease to breathe on the day I have the biggest treat of my time".
Too little too late to correct the accused, as his utterance bore some conditions which wasn't the usual.
The villagers and victims had been satisfied regardless, atleast he is poor, his next meal would probably be his biggest treat just as every other meal he has had.
Okiemute retired to his shabby hut that evening very parched, however very pleased. Again he got away with a crime. "Dumb chiefs, dumb Elder Mezu" he mused "How's the absence of two tubers of yam to affect the abundance of his enormous barn. Greedy is he."
He went ahead to give himself a big treat that night. A meal of chicken stew and boiled yams. Bloated, he went to bed, carrying an obvious curve in his mouth.
There may have been disaster looming over okiemute's hut that night.
Just beyond the clouds or way below the grounds, the gods may have been resolving on which messager should collect Okiemute.
Okiemute walked the mud streets the next morning to the astonishment of everybody.
There were whispers. Many wondering with certainty "he must have had dinner the past night", others speculating "perhaps he kept it light".
Later that day, Okiemute could be seen sunk in a wooden armchair, consuming the left overs from the previous night.
The route that cut through a small farm that stood right infront of okiemute's compound, suddenly became busy. Hopeful eyes glaring and beaming at him, while he ate.
Many days past there after. The misery behind okieme's well-being remained unknown.
Perhaps even his doom could never tell which meal would be his biggest.
Nice one Okiemute!!!!