Nigerian Ex-convict Jumps from Storey Building to Escape Deportation

A manhunt is underway in Mumbai, India, for a Nigerian ex-convict, who reportedly escaped from detention while awaiting deportation.

John Kenedy Chukemeka Okoro, 34, fled from the custody of Mumbai Police Crime Branch early Monday morning, when he allegedly jumped from the first floor of the building he was being held.

A police constable, who tried to chase him, was injured when he too jumped from the first floor, but crashed through the roof of an adjoining building.

Okoro was convicted by the special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Court, at the Bombay City Civil and Sessions Court, in July 2016, for possession of 40 grams of cocaine.

He was arrested on New Year’s Day in 2014 after officers at the Mumbai Police Crime Branch’s Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) received a tip-off about his activities.

A judge sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment and also ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 5,000. However, the judge considered that he had been in custody since January 1, 2014 and ordered that the period of detention be set off against his sentence of imprisonment.

He was, consequently, released from jail on January 1 and brought to the premises of ANC in Mumbai, as the prison does not have a facility to hold individuals who are to be deported. A senior police official said that formalities for his deportation were to begin on Monday.

According to the police, at about 2am, Okoro was seated on a yellow wooden bench on the first floor corridor watching television, while a police constable stood behind him.

“Without warning, Okoro jumped off the bench and landed on the ground floor roof. The constable also jumped after him to try and catch him.

“While Okoro was able to flee, the constable went crashing to the ground as the roof’s cement tiles collapsed under his weight. Okoro fled from the gate near the Times of India building. But we are not sure which direction he ran in,” said a senior officer.

The constable sustained injuries to his legs and was admitted to a hospital, the police said.

They added that a description of Okoro had been sent out to police stations across the city.