Suspect runs from witness box in Ho

Drama unfolded at a Magistrate Court in Ho when an accused person, who was facing trial, abruptly jumped out of the witness box and took to his heels to escape jail.

The incident, which occurred on Fri­day, surprised some persons in the court but other burst into laughter.

The accused person, Selassie Gbee appeared before the court on charges of stealing, causing unlawful damage and assault on public officer.

When the case was called, it came to light that he was wanted by the court for allegedly possessing a gun.

Resisting Arrest

The prosecutor told the Magistrate, Court, presided over by Judge Franklin Titus Glover that on 25th May 2016 a com­plaint was lodged at the Ho Municipal Police Station against the accused person for allegedly stealing a motor bicycle.

Investigations commenced immediate­ly and upon a tipoff, the police gathered that the accused, who originally lives at Ho-Hliha, was hiding at Mile 48, near the Ho-Kpetoe Highway.

On 22nd July, 2016, the Police moved in to arrest Selassie, who is known to the Police as Emmanuel and Courage Banaitsi in other cases.

In the process of the arrest, the suspect struggled with the two police men who had gone to arrest him.

He reportedly bit one of them in the back and damaged the mobile phone of the other.

Fortunately, the Police overpowered him and took him into custody.

After investigation Selasie, who is notorious for stealing motor bikes in Ho and its environs, was charged with steal­ing, causing unlawful damage and assault on public officer.

Court Escape

He appeared before the court on Fri­day, 29th July 2016 and was therefore remanded into prison custody to reappear on August 1, 2016.

In the process of being handcuffed by the police, the accused took to his heels in the very presence of the judge.

He quickly run out of the court located near the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) but was given a hot chase by the police and other passers by.

He went through the Ho Municipal Hospital roads towards the Electoral Com­mission road.

Fortunately, he was captured near the Electoral Commission (EC) Office and sent back to court where the judge ordered that he should be charged with escaping from wrongful custody.

The Police have begun investigations into the incident and would accordingly prosecute Selasie at the next court date.