There was chaos at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Tuesday when Oluwatobi Ayoko, who is currently on trial, tried to take his own life.
The 25-year-old defendant was brought before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on charges related to causing severe bodily harm, property damage, and involvement in an unlawful society. These charges were filed by the state government.
Ayoko became desperate and attempted suicide when his case was adjourned until April, which meant he would remain in the correctional facility until then.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the adjournment, Ayoko tried to jump off the top floor of the court building in an effort to end his life.
The situation escalated immediately after Ayoko’s lawyer requested bail for his client on lenient terms. However, the prosecutor objected to this, arguing that Ayoko posed a flight risk and could potentially interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses.
After listening to the submissions of both counsels, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until April 9, 2024, which did not sit well with the defendant, who started tapping the prosecution witnesses at the back seat inside the court saying they are his friends that they should release him.
The defendant, upon stepping out of the courtroom, started hitting his head against the wall shouting: “I want to die, I can’t wait till April.”
Ayoko in a quick movement, 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.
It was the swift intervention of the police officers attached to the court and with the Correctional Facility officer, who was present, that rescued the situation.
An eyewitness who did not want his name mentioned 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.”
It was further gathered that the defendant committed the crime against one Obinna Nosike
