An Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court, situated in Odigbo within Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, has ruled for the detention of Kayode Ojo in prison after he attempted suicide while in police custody.
The defendant had been initially apprehended by the state police command for his suicide attempt, during which he reportedly tried to consume a toxic substance inside the holding cell.
Upon being brought before the court, the police charged him with attempted murder. The police prosecutor, Mr. James Usifo, argued that the defendant’s actions violated Section 327 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
In court, Usifo presented the case, stating that the defendant had committed an act of attempting self-harm by ingesting a potentially toxic substance, suspected to be a disinfectant, while in police custody. The defendant had been initially apprehended for a separate offense and was held in a police cell when he made the suicide attempt.
The defendant, acknowledging his guilt, pleaded guilty to the charge. Chief Magistrate D. O. Ogunfuyi, in his judgment, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Okitipupa Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until October 10, 2023, for the presentation of facts and sentencing.
