AADIBE NOT KNOWS HIS NEW FREEDOM NOR HEARS HURRAYS FROM GROUNDS

George Aadibe, an ace  footballer from Nigeria, now does not know the freedom he has got from the prison life  in Kerala nor does he hear the hurrays and jubilations  from the football grounds across India.The slavery of unconsciousness  and incapacitation following a cerebral haemorrhage  after spending harrowing times in prisons and courts here,has totally conquered  this football maverick, leaving him paralysed and-bed-ridden.This football wizard  from Nigeria,aged 34, who throbbed the hearts of football lovers here  came  to India for playing football for various clubs in tourneys in different parts of India.

The story of Aadibe, who is struggling for life in the Trichur district hospital in Kerala,  is really pathetic and heart-rending. Aadibe, along with his friend Kinstan E Chukku,32, came to India for playing football tournament.During their trip to India, they came to Kerala to visit some tourist centres in the hill station of Idukki 17 months ago.May be due to their ignorance, they overstayed in the country after their visa period. The two Nigerians were arrested on 12th December 2007 by the Kattappana Police on charges of overstayal in the country.They were languishing in the judicial custody  with no hope of deportation due to the prolonged  legal procedures.
In the meantime, apparently due to the mental stress and strain by police and court cases with the fear of ending his life in prison here, Aadibe had a cerebral haemorrhage a few months back and lost his consciousness.He was in coma since then.He survives on the liquid food, costing Rs.18, administrated to his nose  through tubes.
This  football genius does not know  the football or  hear exaltations and revelries from his fans on grounds on his memory now.The two youth from poor agricultural families in Nigeria came to India to earn some money from the football tournaments.Bad luck and tragedy had been haunting them.Having lost his memory completely, Aadibe has no one to console him.The prison authorities in Viyyur jail admitted him to the Calicut Medical College and then to the Trichur district hospital for treatment.The Pain and Paliative Care workers, police and nurses care him in the Trichur hospital, inspite of the difficulties with communication and his body language.Medicines worth Rs.150/- are administrated to him daily.
The Resident Medical Officer, Dr.Santhosh Babu is also  personally attending on him.He says Aadibe has improved a lot and needs further care and attention. Its now  essential for him to have the care of his relatives.They have to come to the hospital for caring him, which would enable him to convalesce sooner,  he adds.
Meanwhile, Justice V. Ramkumar of  the Kerala High Court,  in a most humane judgement,  came to the rescue of the beleaguered  Nigerians.He quashed the charge sheet pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kattappana, against them for overstayal in the country. Justice Ramkumar, who is noted for his progressive and pro-people judgements, directed the police to release them from prison unless their continued detention was necessary in connection with any other case.In his order, Justice V. Ramkumar said that the police did not obtain sanction under the Passport Act 1967 to detain the Nigerians.Aadibe does not know the judgement and the new lease of life and  freedom to him.
With the High Court  having come to his succour, the question now arises is who would take care of and protect Aadibe. Dr.Santhosh Babu says that there would be no difficulty for him for air travel to Nigeria and he could regain normalcy within months, if continued with treatment in a  friendly atmosphere with his dear and near ones.
The Nigerian Embassy in Delhi has also to come to the rescue of their  two hapless citizens in an alien land
Pramod