….Freedom and Grace: A New Dawn
It has been a week since I walked out of the gates of Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison—a week filled with a whirlwind of emotions, excitement, and contemplation. Freedom, I’ve come to realize, is truly everything.
Now, as I sit in the cozy departure lounge at Murtala Muhammed Airport, awaiting my Virgin Atlantic flight to London, I find myself reflecting on this incredible journey. The pain of the past years, the uncertainty, and the challenges seem to melt away in the face of this new chapter.
This week has been a delicate interplay of highs and lows, yet each moment has been a step forward. I had the honor of making a courtesy call to the office of the Deputy British High Commissioner. This visit was deeply significant to me, as it was their outreach during my time in prison that reminded me I had not been forgotten. Despite not having a scheduled appointment, I was warmly received—a rare occurrence in this part of the world!
During our meeting, I was reassured that all I need to restart my life and possibly my career in the UK is within reach. Simply reporting to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) upon my arrival would set the wheels in motion. This starkly contrasted with the drawn-out ordeal I faced retrieving my passport from the Ikeja High Court—a document that had been part of my bail conditions at the onset of my trial.
I won’t dwell too much on the frustrations of that process. Instead, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my steadfast friend, Mr. Dee, and my lawyer, Barrister Oridate, who bore the interminable delays with grace and persistence to ensure I was equipped for this next step.
As I prepare to take to the skies and return to London, my mind lingers on the verse that has sustained me through these times: Isaiah 43:1–6. In it, God says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” These words are not just a promise—they are the foundation of my hope and my purpose.
This is a new dawn, and with it comes the resolve to embrace the grace I have been given. There is much to do, but I am ready to step into this next phase as a powerful force for change—for myself, for those who stood by me, and for the countless others whose voices still go unheard.