Say What | Maid protests after she was set free for stealing, says she prefers to stay in prison

A 26-year-old housemaid, Miss Mary Atte, arrested and charged before Isolo Magistrate’s court and remanded in prison for stealing her boss’ N2m,  has refused to leave prison, saying she preferred to stay there in good faith.

She explained in the open court that the prison condition was far better for her than when she was outside and would continue to remain there for her comfort.

The shocking declaration amused the litigants present in the court.

Atte made the confession when her matter was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution by the presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.K. Shonubi and was released to go home.

When the Magistrate set her free, she became angry and protested openly in court that she was going back to prison and she actually went back as she said.

Before she joined the bus back to the prison, Atte said that she was brought to Lagos from her village in Benue State by her sister she simply called Esther.

She said Esther sent her to one man as house help where she served for some months and the man did not pay her the agreed salary.

She said she left the place and went to another man’s house, one Aneke Andrew’s house at John Ije close at Okota as maid and served for some time before Andrew came with another story and did not pay her.

She said when the time reached for the man to pay her, he alleged that she stole his dollars valued over N2m which she denied.

Atte said she was arrested and taken to the police station before she was charged to court for the alleged offence and remanded in prison since December 20, 2016.

According to her, she was initially afraid when she was brought to the prison at Kirikiri, not until she settled down she realized it was a blessing in disguise.

She said the women there are treated fairly and compassionately which she had lacked over the years and would like to stay there despite being freed by the court.

She said if they refuse to take her back into custody, she will plead with the matron to employ her there so that she will remain in that environment where people care for others.

It was gathered that the prison officials carried her on their vehicle because she still had her property in the prison she supposed to take after she was released.