In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- A suspect facing theft charges escaped from Lodwar Law Courts in Turkana County shortly after pleading guilty.
- The suspect vanished while awaiting sentencing, prompting a search operation by police.
- Authorities released details of the fugitive, urging public assistance in locating him.
On Monday, March 25, a suspect facing charges of theft of stock, as per section 278 of the penal code, managed to escape from Lodwar Law Courts in Turkana County shortly after entering a plea.
As detailed in a police report obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the suspect had been escorted by police officers from Katilu Police Station to the Law courts for the plea-taking process.
Alongside another suspect, the individual was restrained in cuffs, awaiting their appearance in courtroom Two following the approval of charges by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The lead officer responsible for the suspect requested another officer, believed to be a court orderly from Lodwar Police Station, to oversee the suspects while he briefly left to print documents at a nearby cyber cafe.
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Intending to return before the suspect’s court proceedings commenced, the officer found upon his return that the plea-taking had already concluded, with the suspect pleading guilty and sentencing scheduled for April 15, 2024.
Shockingly, the officer discovered that the suspect had vanished, and the officer left in charge was also absent from the court area.
Upon realizing the escape, the officer alerted colleagues who initiated a search operation in the vicinity, yet the suspect remained elusive.
Details of the fugitive were released to the public, describing him as a 32-year-old, dark complexioned, standing at 5.6 inches tall, and originating from Lokapel in Turkana South.
Subsequently, law enforcement authorities commenced investigations to ascertain how the suspect managed to flee the courtroom despite the presence of officers.
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Moreover, efforts are underway to locate the officer entrusted with the suspect’s supervision and determine the circumstances surrounding the escape.
Interrogations will be conducted to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.