A sense of palpable tension filled an Ikeja High Court on Tuesday as a defendant, Ayoko Oluwatobi, made an attempt to commit suicide. Oluwatobi, aged 25, is currently on trial before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
The courtroom is located on the second floor of a two-storey building, directly opposite the second gate of the court complex. The defendant is facing a six-count charge, including allegations related to causing grievous bodily harm, damage to property, and membership of an unlawful society.
Following the defense counsel’s submission of a bail application, requesting the court to grant bail to the defendant on lenient terms, the prosecution objected, citing concerns about the defendant being a flight risk.
After hearing arguments from both legal representatives, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until April 9 to rule on the bail application.
Expressing apparent dissatisfaction with the adjournment, the defendant began tapping members of the prosecution team, claiming they were his friends and should release him. As he was escorted out of the courtroom, the defendant began banging his head against the wall while shouting. “I want to die, I can’t wait till April.”
The defendant attempted to climb out of the courtroom window in a bid to jump down from the two-storey building. Prompt intervention from court police officers and a correctional service officer was necessary to prevent the defendant from carrying out the act. They managed to restrain him by holding onto one of his legs.
