YARO BAI SAN WUTA BA

In the opulent surroundings of the castle, these two letters adorned various decorative and luxurious items throughout the estate. Whether on the backrests of chairs, the floors of churches, embroidered into carpets, etched onto glass and doors, or even encircling the bathroom sink, they were unmistakably present.

Only a stranger passing by would remain ignorant of the significance of these letters, but for those residing in the renowned neighborhood of Ikko, known as Victoria Island, the identity of Muhsin Fataye (often referred to by his initials, M.F.) was no secret.

Alhaji Muhsin Fataye, a wealthy man of thirty-six, was renowned for his impressive real estate holdings in Lagos. Listing his properties and luxurious buildings would indeed be a challenging task for anyone who dared to undertake it.

Muhsin Fataye was not only a successful businessman but also a senior figure in the realm of port management and foreign goods importation into Nigeria. Despite his European heritage, he spoke Hausa fluently, having spent much of his life in Kano. Although he had returned to Ikko for work, his father had been a thriving businessman in Kano, further solidifying his connection to the Hausa culture.

Nine months after his second marriage, Muhsin Fataye encountered a woman in Kaduna, where he attended a friend’s party at Bayero University. Their connection was instant, deep, and mutual, and he loved her as much as she loved him. This, however, didn’t cause any discord with his first wife, Kudiratu, even though they lived separately in their spacious homes. Each had their own residence, complete with all the worldly possessions they could desire.

Every Thursday, Muhsin Fataye meticulously planned his schedule to divide his time between his two wives. During these days, while he was with his new bride, he followed a particular routine. He would start his morning with a shower, donning his oversized white attire and his signature crocodile hat, slightly tilted to one side. As he emerged into the living room, he would attend to his watch. His bride would approach him with a bottle of perfume, gracing him with her affectionate smile.

He had grown accustomed to the scent of her perfume, which she applied to him daily, synchronizing with his grooming routine. No matter how fragrant his own cologne, her perfume had to follow suit.

Muhsin Fataye stood patiently as she approached with her slender bottle of perfume, adorned with a black cap. Once she uncapped it and pressed down, the perfume would jet out with remarkable force.

However, one particular Thursday, while Muhsin Fataye awaited her completion of this ritual, something unusual occurred. He watched as she turned to spritz his crocodile hat. As she pressed the nozzle, instead of landing on the hat, the perfume misfired, plummeting directly into his eyes. Pain surged through him, and he instinctively shut his eyes, shielding his face with his hands.

Witnessing his distress, his bride halted and immediately sprayed him with the correct perfume. She inquired anxiously, “It went into your eye… I didn’t mean to, Alhaji. Please, open your eyes, let me help you…”

However, the agony he felt was excruciating. It was as if razors were slicing through his eyes, followed by the sensation of needles stabbing at his delicate corneas. He clenched his eyes shut with one hand and wept, writhing on the floor.

His bride, distraught, began to cry as well. She fetched a towel, dampened it with water, and tried to gently wipe his eyes, but he resisted her touch, fearing further pain.

Their cries and commotion drew the attention of a concerned neighbor, who hurried to their aid. Witnessing Muhsin Fataye’s agony, the neighbor didn’t hesitate. He swiftly carried him outside and directed his driver to call for help. With urgency, they reached a nearby hospital, where Muhsin was promptly attended to.

An hour later, the doctors provided a diagnosis that sent shockwaves through everyone present. The substance that had entered Muhsin Fataye’s eyes was not perfume; it was a harsh and harmful substance, resulting in severe distress.