8th December, 2010
Mrs. Munisiratu B. Folami of Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, has ordered the police to immediately ‘deport’ a 30-year old indigene of Akwa Ibom State, Steven Ikwong, who attempted to commit suicide inside a church in Lagos.
The magistrate gave the order after Ekwong admitted before the court that he actually wanted to commit suicide because he was frustrated. He pleaded with the court not to sentence him to jail, saying he would not attempt to commit suicide again.
He was charged to the court for allegedly attempting to commit suicide at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun, Lagos. He was caught with a knife with which he wanted to stab himself.
He had gone to the church to solicit for financial assistance from Prophet T. B. Joshua, but he could not get his attention.
Testifying before the court, Ekwong said he lost his mother and there was no money to bury her and his people could not assist him.
“When I got to the church, I could not get the attention of T. B. Joshua because the security around him was tight. So, I decided to commit suicide,†he stated.
Frustrated Ekwong took a knife and some acid to kill himself before the security men apprehended and handed him over to the police.
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded guilty and passionately pleaded for leniency.
The court found him guilty as charged and granted his prayer, but the court ordered the police to send him back to his home town at Akwa Ibom.
Mrs. Folami said substantial amount should be raised for his journey and the court raised N2,500 for him.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe
