There was mild drama on Tuesday at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja when a suspect attempted to commit suicide.
The 25–year–old suspect Oluwatobi Ayoko, who was arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi, is facing six counts bordering on causing grievous bodily harm, damage to properties and unlawful society, preferred against him by the state.
Displeased with the next adjournment of his case which would keep him till April, Ayoko attempted to commit suicide by trying to jump down from the top floor of the court building.
Ayoko’s lawyer had earlier moved his bail application urging the court to admit his client to bail on a liberal term.
But the prosecutor while replying to the defence counsel drew the attention of the court to the fact that the defendant is a flight risk who is capable of interfering with the prosecution’s witnesses.
Justice Oshodi after listening to the submissions of both counsels, adjourned the matter until April 9, 2024, which did not sit well with the defendant.
The defendant after hearing the adjourned date started tapping the prosecution witnesses at the back seat inside the court saying they were his friends that they should release him.
The defendant, upon stepping out of the courtroom, started head-butting the wall shouting: “I want to die, I can’t wait till April.”
In a swift movement, Ayoko climbed the window in an attempt to jump down from the top floor of the two-storey building directly opposite the second gate of the court.
The situation was rescued by the quick intervention of the police officers attached to the court coupled with the Correctional Facility office present.
An eyewitness prayed not to be named said the officers were able to hold one of his legs before he could jump down.
The eyewitness said, “The suspect was restrained, mostly due to the handcuff.”
