The Lagos State Police Command,South west Nigeria has announced renewed search for one Ekeh Festus Osondu declared wanted for absconding from the maximum Correctional Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos state, two years ago.
In a Press briefing in his office yesterday, the Police Public Relations Unit recalled that the convict was declared wanted, February 1, 2022 following his abscondment from the facility.
Giving further insight into the circumstances that led to his imprisonment , escape and formal declaration of being wanted, the statement said he was arrested in August 2020, tried and convicted on two count charges of homosexuality and obscene sexual act in the public.
After Ekeh Festus Osondu’ conviction he was remanded in the Apapa maximum Correctional Centre to serve his jail term, adding that it was reported that the convict escaped from the Prison on December 5,2021.
The statement further recalled that his mysterious disappearance was reported by the Prison officials, as a result the police launched an investigation into the matter with a view to unraveling the circumstances behind the convict’s escape.
The investigation, the police disclosed showed that the Homosexual was aided to escape by a staff in the facility, adding that the Warder has since been arrested and disciplined accordingly.
The statement further informed that the police is presently intensifying efforts at rearresting the fleeing Ekeh Festus Osondu.
The police command in pursuit of that objective the statement explained has widened it’s dragnet to re-arrested the convict.
According to the statement the Lagos police operatives, in collaboration with Imo Police Command, have visited his Ozuzu Community, Ngor Okpala LGA.
The police said it visited the traditional ruler of his community, HRH Eze Thomas Iheukwumere and cabinet including other stakeholders.
The Police said it has since released information on the identity of the convict: Ekeh Festus Osondu, who it said is fair in complexion, about five feet six inches tall, speaks Igbo and English language, fluently.