JAPA: Suspect jumps through court window, flees after remand order

It was a drama at the Ondo State Magistrate Court in Odigbo, the headquarters of the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, as a defendant, Segun Akala, ran out of the court premises after the magistrate ordered his remand.

It was gathered that Akala was charged to court over alleged stealing and was arraigned before the court on one count.

A source in the court said, “Immediately the magistrate, D. O Ogunfuyi, ordered his remand, the defendant, with handcuffs in his hands, took to his heels, jumped out through the court’s window and fled to a nearby bush.

“It took the intervention of policemen within the court area to apprehend him and take him back to the court.”

The defendant was alleged to have stolen a motor saw chain and pullover clothes valued at N336,000, belonging to one Akintan Akintade.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Usifo James, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 27, 2023, at Aipon Road, Via Odigbo, Ondo State.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is contrary to Section 390 (9), of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The prosecutor sought an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and prepare his witnesses for trial, but the defence counsel, Mr Rufus Omotayo, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.

Senior Magistrate Ogunfuyi, in his ruling, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Okitipupa Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail and adjourned the case till June 23, 2023.