A 23-year-old awaiting trial inmate, Osita Thomas, has reportedly absconded from a court premises in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Osita, an awaiting trail inmate at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi, was said to have been taken to court last week for trial but the court refused to grant him bail.

Sources said it was after the court sitting that Osita made a deft move to escape and he fled. The sources added that the Warden that took him and others to court could not pursue him to avoid other inmates from escaping.

An official of the Nigerian Correctional Service blamed shortage of manpower as reason for Osita’s escape, lamenting that over 1000 personnel of the NCS would be retiring this year without any plans to recruit new personnel.

A statement by spokesperson of the Edo Command of the NCS, Aminu Suleman, confirmed that Osita escaped during his appearance in court for trial for the offence of Conspiracy and Stealing.

According to the statement, “The Service solicits the cooperation of the general public to recapture the fugitive. Anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should please contact the nearest Custodial Centre or Police Station, or call the following numbers: 08038075882, 08039243704.

“The Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, assures the general public that no effort will be spared to recapture the fugitive, while security of all inmates in custody has been strengthened.”