But it did not answer the most important question.
How had it entered his suitcase?
David Okafor: "I want a supervisor called to this checkpoint."
Officer Amara: "A supervisor is not necessary."
David Okafor: "Then there should be no reason to refuse."
Officer Amara: "I decide when a supervisor is needed."
David Okafor: "And I am asking for one because you have accused me of carrying a prohibited object that I do not recognize."
Amara leaned forward, lowering her voice.
Officer Amara: "You should be careful. A false accusation against an officer can create problems for you."
David looked directly at her.
David Okafor: "I have not accused you of anything yet. I have asked you to explain what happened."
Kofi's expression changed. David had deliberately drawn a distinction between questioning an inspection and alleging misconduct. Amara, however, appeared determined to treat both as the same thing.
Officer Amara: "You're trying to make me look incompetent."
David Okafor: "I don't need to make you look anything. I need you to show me the evidence."
Amara suddenly struck the table with the palm of her hand. The metallic bang startled Kofi and drew the attention of a traveler on the other side of the partition. David flinched slightly at the noise but did not step toward her.
Officer Amara: "Enough!"
The shout echoed through the inspection area.
David waited until she finished.
David Okafor: "I am not shouting at you. I am not threatening you. I am asking for a supervisor and an accurate record."
Officer Amara: "You will do as you're told."
David Okafor: "I will follow lawful instructions. That does not mean I must agree with an accusation that has not been established."
Amara's breathing became more pronounced. She looked toward the entrance, then toward Kofi, who remained several feet away. For a brief moment, she seemed to realize that the conversation was no longer proceeding according to her expectations.
She had displayed the object.
She had accused the passenger.
She had demanded compliance.
Yet David had not panicked, pleaded, or accepted responsibility for something he said he had never packed.
Instead, he continued asking the same questions.
Amara lifted the zip-lock bag once more and held it between them.
Officer Amara: "This device was inside your suitcase. You can deny it all morning, but that won't change what we found."
David's eyes moved from the black object to the officer's face. His expression was no longer confused. It had become steady, firm, and unmistakably serious.
David Okafor: "Then show me the recording of the inspection."
Amara froze for a moment.
Officer Amara: "What recording?"
David glanced toward the ceiling-mounted camera.
David Okafor: "The cameras are watching this table. If your inspection was conducted properly, the footage should support your account."
Kofi followed David's gaze upward.
Amara did the same, although she quickly looked away.
The transparent bag remained in her hand. The open suitcase sat between them, its contents spread across the steel surface. For the first time, the woman who had confidently presented the device as proof seemed reluctant to continue the conversation.
David noticed.
David Okafor: "Preserve the footage, Officer. All of it. From before you opened my suitcase until this moment."
Officer Amara: "You don't tell me how to do my job."
David Okafor: "Then do your job properly."
Kofi stared at David, surprised by the firmness of his response. Amara's face tightened, and her grip on the bag became more rigid.
For several seconds, the three stood in silence beneath the surveillance camera.
Then Amara reached for the radio on her belt, preparing to report the passenger as uncooperative.
She had no idea that her next decision would make the situation far more difficult to control.
Amara pulled the radio from her belt and pressed the button, keeping her eyes fixed on David as though she expected him to change his mind at the last moment.
Officer Amara: "Control, this is Officer Ndlovu at secondary baggage inspection. I have a passenger refusing to cooperate during an inspection involving a prohibited electric device. Requesting assistance."
She released the button before the control desk could ask for further details.
David watched her carefully.
David Okafor: "You should also report that I requested a supervisor and asked for the inspection footage to be preserved."
Officer Amara: "I will report whatever is relevant."
David Okafor: "Then include the whole conversation."
Amara slipped the radio back onto her belt. Her expression suggested that she considered the matter settled, but Kofi had heard every word. He looked at David, then at the transparent bag resting beside the open suitcase.