Suspect flees courthouse after magistrate ordered his remand

Segun Akala, the defendant, fled the courthouse after the magistrate ordered his remand, creating a drama at the Ondo State Magistrate Court in Odigbo, the state's administrative centre for the Odigbo Local Government Area.

According to information obtained, Akala was accused of stealing and arraigned in 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.”

A motor saw chain and pullover garments worth N336,000 that belonged to Akintan Akintade were allegedly taken by the defendant.

The defendant committed the crime on May 27, 2023, at Aipon Road, Via Odigbo, Ondo State, the Police Prosecutor, Usifo James, had earlier told the court.

The prosecution claims that the offence committed violates Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code found in Chapter 37 of the Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria (2006).

However, the defendant entered a not-guilty plea to the accusation brought against him.

The defense attorney, Mr. Rufus Omotayo, asked the court to give the defendant bail instead of the prosecutor's request for an adjournment so that he could review the case file and get his witnesses ready for the trial.

In his decision, Senior Magistrate Ogunfuyi granted the defendant bail in the amount of N100,000 with two sureties in the same amount.

He postponed the hearing until June 23, 2023, and ordered the defendant to be held at the Okitipupa Correctional Center while his bail is perfected.

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