ASABA — THERE was com-motion at an
Asaba High Court, yesterday, as two robbery suspects took everybody unawares
and escaped from the court room immediately the judge sentenced them to
death by hanging, having found them guilty on two-count charges of
armed robbery.
The two suspects who were in the
dock without handcuffs jumped out, and became violent, used a wooden barricade
used to block traffic leading to the court to hit prison officials chasing
them.
The convicts were one Elvis Agbofodo
and Frank Okedema both from Ekpan community, Uvwie Local Government Area of the
state.
Prosecution had told the court that
they robbed the residence of one Mrs. Mercy Omatseye of valuables and cash on
July 8, 2010.
Both of them were, however,
re-arrested with the assistance of the residents of the area. One of the them
was shot by armed prisons official who pursued him to a nearby church premises,
about 100 metres from the court.
As a result of the incident which
took place at about 11.30 am, further proceedings in the court were disrupted
as the judge, court officials and lawyers scampered for safety as gun shots
rented the air.
New Controller of Prisons in the
state, Mr. Joseph Olanrele, had during a recent courtesy visit to the state
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN)
expressed worry over the large number of condemned criminals in various prison
formations across the state, noting that it was worrisome as they (condemned
criminals) constantly create problems for prison officials looking after them
while awaiting the hangman.
Ajuyah, on his part condemned the
use of phones by some inmates even while in the court, saying such act is
capable of undermining security of officials and inmates.
Source: Vanguard
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