Authorities at the Koforidua Prisons Service in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region, have dispatched some personnel to re-arrest a convicted drug offender who escaped from prison custody today [Thursday].
The convict, Agyei Charles, who is serving a 10-year jail term escaped when he and other inmates went out with some prison officers to fetch firewood at Akwadum, between Koforidua and Suhum.
Citi News sources within the Koforidua Prisons revealed that the escapee was operating a chainsaw machine to fell down firewood with his other colleagues when he managed to escape after realizing he was not being monitored.
According to reliable sources, the convict, who just commenced serving his 10-year jail term after completing the initial nine months term slapped on him by the court for attempting to escape from custody, was not eligible to be taken out for ‘labourer work’ without adequate security.
A Senior Officer at the Koforidua Prisons who confirmed the incident to Citi News on condition of anonymity indicated that the matter is complicated.
Meanwhile, Bob Dery, the Koforidua Prisons Commander, is yet to officially brief the media on the matter.
Background
The escapee, Charles Agyei, was arrested on December 22nd 2016. He attempted to escape when he was being sent to Court on December 23, but was recaptured and sent to court.
He was then slapped with fresh charges of attempting to escape from lawful custody, and was sentenced to serve a jail term of nine months for that offence.
On April 2017, he was charged again for possession of narcotic substance after he was arraigned before the Mpraeso Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea, and sentenced to a 10-year jail term with hard labour.
Citi News checks indicate that, some drug barons who are close allies with the convict influenced and masterminded his escape.
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By: Neil Nii Amartey/Citinewsroom.com/Ghana
