Welder Accused Of N40,000 Theft Jumps To Death From Third Floor Of Court Building

-Tradgedy as 41-year old man jumps from court room and dies immediately.

-The accused was standing trial for stealing iron rod valued at N40,000.

Welder commits suicide in court.

The Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos state was the scene of a sad drama on Wednesday, 6th December, as a 41-year old welder, identified as Wasiu Olowonle committed suicide by jumping from the third floor of the Court.

The deceased was standing trial for allegedly stealing an iron rod valued at N40,000.

The deceased reportedly died immediately he hit the ground.

Prosecuting officer, Yomi Egunjobi, said the deceased was earlier arraigned on 16 October on a charge of stealing an iron rod valued at N40, 000.

According to the prosecuting officer, Yomi Egunjobi, the accused had earlier been arraigned for alleged stealing before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos but the case was struck out by the court.

He was however, re-arrested for stealing another item after his initial discharge.

Speaking further, Egunjobi expressed shock by the action of the deceased as no one expected him to jump from the third floor of the four-storey court building.

The presiding magistrate had decided to stand down Olowonle’s trial after he was led to the witness box for the commencement of his trial to attend to some other cases on the course list.

It was during the announcement of the next case that he jumped off the window and smashed his head on the floor and died immediately, the prosecutor revealed.

According to him,the court had already granted him bail in the sum of N20, 000 with one responsible surety.

“The accused has been in custody at Kirikiri prison for over a month now and was brought to court on Wednesday, 6th December in order for trials to commence. He had only appeared twice before the count since his arraignment and this was the second adjournment,” he explained

After obtaining a police report, the body of the deceased was taken to the mortuary by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in connection with the prison authorities.

The deceased was arraigned at Court 20 before Magistrate Mrs O.I. Raji on a one count charge of stealing.