Man jumps to his death over N40,000 theft

A welder, who was facing theft trial at Ogba Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, Wasiu Alowonle, has killed himself on the court premises.
Alowonle reportedly jumped from the window of Court 20, which is on the third floor of the four-storeyed building, crushing his head in the process.
PUNCH learnt that the 41-year-old had been arraigned on October 16, 2017, for allegedly stealing iron rods worth N40,000.
He was said to have been granted bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.
He was subsequently remanded in the Kirikiri Medium Prison pending when his bail condition would be perfected, while the case was adjourned till Wednesday, December 6, 2017, for trial.
It was gathered that nobody came to the court to perfect his bail.
Some sources at the court said the case had been stood down by the presiding magistrate, Mrs. O.I. Raji, when the defendant suddenly walked to the window and jumped down.

One of them said a court official, who noticed the moment Alowonle wanted to jump from the window, raised the alarm, while some warders rushed to stop him.
He had reportedly jumped down before the warders got to the window.
The source said, “He was arraigned on October 16, 2017, for stealing iron rods worth N40,000. He was admitted to bail in the sum of N20,000, but nobody came for him. The matter was slated for trial yesterday (Wednesday). He was brought from the Kirikiri prison.
“The magistrate called the case, but it was stood down. He just stood up suddenly and went straight to the window, which was open. Before we knew what was happening, he had jumped from the window. Attempts by the warders to stop him proved abortive. He landed on his head and died on the spot.