More facts have emerged about the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of Wasiu Alowonle who reportedly jumped to his death from the third floor of the Samuel Ilori Court House Ogba Lagos while proceedings were ongoing.
DNL Legal & Style was reliably informed by a source close to the Magistrate Court that the defendant was first arraigned on 16th day of Oct 2017 on one count charge of stealing two iron doors valued at #80k as against the widely report claim of him being in prisons for over 6 months.
According to the source who claims that the facts were being distorted “the record is clear and as a public document you can obtain the CTC. At arraignment, Bail was granted in the sum of #50 with one surety in like sum. Your report omittedly did not mention that.”
The source further revealed that at the last adjourned date which was 31th day of Oct 2017, the deceased was yet to perfect his bail condition which was to bring 1 surety with recognisance of N50k. He noted “No family member or anybody appeared to present any bail bond let alone perfect his bail.” “the magistrate tried to encourage settlement between parties but the complainant was poised for trial. He came to court with several witnesses, all Welders in their uniform, the courtroom was full so where and when did the complainant wanted to withdraw?.”
Speaking further, the source noted “in order not to waste time or delay justice, the matter was slated for trial on the 6th day of Dec 2017. On that fateful day, The Complainant was present in court, still no family member from defendant, because the Magistrate openly in court that morning ask as she always does, then stood the matter down for trial and tried to run through the list.” “The magistrate was writing and suddenly looked up and couldn’t believe it, the guy leaped unto the window, all the shouts of the magistrate and people in the court couldn’t stop him. He jumped…”
Meanwhile the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, who confirmed the death, said the command had commenced an investigation into the incident.
He said, “The man was taken from the prison to the Magistrate’s Court in Ogba. He was charged with stealing. While the proceeding was going on, he jumped from the third floor through the window and died. His name is Wasiu Alowonle and he was arraigned before Magistrate O.I. Raji. We are investigating the incident.”