A robbery with violence suspect on Monday, 24, 2021 escaped from the Mombasa Law Courts moments after it nullified his bail.
The suspect identified as Ngalaa Hassan, was facing charges of assault and robbery with violence in Likoni.
Hassan had earlier been released on bail but the judge revoked it after he failed to show up during several court sessions.
He is reported to have asked to visit the washrooms where he was escorted, uncuffed, and allowed to use the facilities.
Minutes later, he stormed out shoving the police officer waiting at the door on the ground.
The police officer tried to raise the alarm but the suspect had already managed to escape by jumping over the fence and disappearing into the neighbourhood.
According to Section 36 of the Penal Code, he currently faces two extra charges; escape from lawful custody and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Penal Code Chapter X Code 107 (a) states that “Any person who - (a) induces or attempts to induce any public officer, or any sailor, soldier or airman being an officer or member of any naval, military or air force for the time being lawfully in Kenya, or any servant of a local authority, to fail in his duty, or to terminate his services in the discharge of his duty, or to commit a breach of discipline; is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.”
Cases of suspects escaping from custody have been in the spotlight, with laxity by police officers being the top reason highlighted. On August,16 , 2020, 11 suspects in Bungoma Police station escaped after digging a hole through a cell. Three of them were caught while others are still on the run.
A similar case occurred on 13 December 2020 when Murder suspect David Kariuki escaped from open-air court at Ngong Police Station once he was uncuffed. The suspect snatched a knife from a fruit vendor and ran out of the market. The police shot on the thigh to immobilise him. He later died from his injuries through stabbing his chest.
