Drama as suspect escapes in court before arraignment
There was pandemonium at the Ilorin Area Court as a suspect, Segun Samuel, escaped custody in a dramatic scene that left court officials and security personnel stunned. The incident occurred just minutes before his arraignment for one of four ongoing criminal cases. The development triggered panic in the court premises, disrupting proceedings and sending security […]
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There was pandemonium at the Ilorin Area Court as a suspect, Segun Samuel, escaped custody in a dramatic scene that left court officials and security personnel stunned.
The incident occurred just minutes before his arraignment for one of four ongoing criminal cases.
The development triggered panic in the court premises, disrupting proceedings and sending security personnel scrambling.
Witnesses said Samuel, a former inmate, freed himself from leg chains using a broomstick hidden in his clothing.
“He then asked to use the restroom, which was a routine request. Once out of sight, he sprinted toward the court’s perimeter, scaled the high fence, and disappeared into a nearby neighbourhood,” a source said.
A court staff said Samuel reportedly took advantage of a lapse in vigilance.
“He waited until just before his case was called. Then he asked to go to the toilet. That’s when he removed his cuffs and ran,” he noted.
Police operatives and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service later went after him, it was gathered.
He was subsequently rearrested at a building around Oke-Suna, about a kilometer from the court premises, with the help of local residents and taken back into custody before normalcy was restored at the court.
Authorities say the attempted escape will now be added to the charges against him.
Prosecuting officer, ASP Samuel Mayowa, confirmed the suspect’s criminal record and current charges.
“He has four active cases before this court. He was sentenced to one year in prison on Monday in one of them, and to six months of community service in another. He was scheduled to appear today for the third case when he made the escape,” Mayowa said.