CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Two days after he was released from prison custody, a 30-year-old suspect, Kehinde Salami, has pleaded with a Lagos court judge to return him to prison otherwise he would starve to death.
Salami made the appeal before a Magistrates’ court sitting in Isolo where he was brought for committing another criminal offence after his release from custody for an earlier crime.
He explained that he preferred to stay in prison custody than outside where he could starve to death because he had nothing to depend on.
Oyo state-born Salami informed the court that he was released from prison custody on 30 October and was again arrested on 1 November, 2016 for stealing a motorcycle.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing under the Criminal code.
Salami said he pleaded guilty in order to be sentenced and go back to the prison because since he was released, he has been finding it difficult to feed.
He also said if he had pleaded not guilty, he will still be sent to prison and will be coming to court to face trial, adding that it was better to remain in custody.
Salami said he had no money to buy food and pay for accommodation.
He said since he was released, he has been sleeping at an uncompleted building at Alamotu in Idioro area of Mushin and has nobody to assist him.
Salami was arrested by the police after he stole a Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number KEY 652 QC at Ayoyinka street in Isolo, property of Rasheed Folorunsho.
Before he could escape, he was apprehended and handed over to the police.
He was charged to court where the prosecutor, Mr A.U. Ojei identified him and informed the court that he had just been released from custody.
Salami confirmed the prosecutor’s information.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs A. K. Shonubi did not carry out his wish immediately, rather she adjourned the matter till 14 November, 2016 for fact and sentence.
Salami was so elated that he asked to know if the sentence will be as long as he wished.