The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Umar Bala, in charge of Ojo Division of the Lagos State Command, had a nasty experience after a suspect, Taofeek Ismaila, reportedly escaped from the Police cell with handcuffs while officers were on duty.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the disappearance of the suspect caused serious embarrassment to the DPO, who ordered his officers to go after the suspect. They combed everywhere in Ojo area and eventually rearrested him.
The 29-year old Ismaila was arrested at Iyana Iba under the bridge for allegedly assaulting and biting a Police officer, Adebiyl Oluwařemi, while on duty on the road and was taken to the station where he was detained in the cell with handcuffs.
However, at night, while officers were on duty that fateful day, Ismaila managed to escape with handcuffs sensing that he will be charged before the Court for the alleged assault against the Police officer.
How he managed to escape without the notice of the officers on duty was a surprise to other officers. While some of the Police officers suspected that he may have escaped with some spiritual powers, others believed that it was negligence on the part of the officers on duty that day.
Having been rearrested, he was immediately charged before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged assault and escaping from lawful custody.
Part of the charge read:
COUNT I: That you, Taofeek Ismaila ‘M’ at Iyana Iba Under the Bridge, Ojo, Lagos, in the Ojo Magisterial district, did seriously assault one Police Officer, SCP Adebiyl Oluwařemi ‘M’ by given him a human bite on his left finger and caused him injury and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 174 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II: That you ,Taofeek Ismaila ‘M’ on the same day, time and place in the aforementioned Magistrate district did escape from lawful custody with handcuffs and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 106 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Simeon Uche, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K. J. Layeni, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 28th August, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.