Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Lagos State Police Command has released an unemployed man , Solomon Okon , who allegedly tried to commit suicide in August , 2020.
The PUNCH had reported that Okon , who earned N 35, 000 a month as a porter at Havana Hospital, Surulere , Lagos , allegedly drank a poisonous substance after receiving a letter terminating his employment.
After being treated, Okon was handed over to the police and was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Yaba.
The magistrate granted the 21-year- old Okon bail in the sum of N 200, 000 with two sureties . He , however , remained in police custody for nearly two months for being unable to meet bail conditions .
A relative to Okon , however , reached out to this newspaper , lamenting that the defendant would not be able to meet the bail conditions , adding that it was immoral for the police to arraign an unemployed man for attempted suicide and a fine of N 200, 000 imposed on him .
After The PUNCH publication , however , four Non -Governmental Organisations intervened and helped Okon to process his bail.
Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, a cousin of the defendant, Richard Ekanem , thanked The PUNCH for the publicity given to the report .
Ekanem said they were overwhelmed by the support they had received .
He said , “ I would like to thank Dr. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of the Centre for Health Ethics , Law and Development ; Dr . Felix Muoka of the Social Economic Rights Action Centre; Dr. Chioma Nwosu of Olamma Cares Foundation and Olumide Babalola of the Enough is Enough Foundation.
“ Cheld and Olamma Cares Foundation agreed to rehabilitate him , treat him and give him a change of environment. Cheld and SERAC have been providing legal assistance to secure a no case submission on the matter . ”
Meanwhile, Okon was brought before the Magistrate , N Patrick , on Thursday for continuation of trial. However , the court did not sit and the matter was adjourned till November 23, 2020.
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