Two Prisoners Attempt Escape at Pademba Road Court

By Fatima Sesay

Tension gripped the Pademba Road Court in Freetown on Tuesday, 8th April 2025, after two Nigerian nationals made a daring attempt to escape from the court’s holding cell. The incident occurred during the morning hours, just before the inmates were scheduled to appear in court. Eyewitnesses reported that the two prisoners—remanded at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre—tried to break free from the court’s lockup, triggering a sudden commotion that caught the attention of court officials and members of the public. The scuffle quickly escalated, with the noise spilling into the surrounding area and drawing large crowds. The initial confusion temporarily overwhelmed court security, prompting an urgent response from nearby police officers who rushed to the scene. Thanks to swift action by the police and court officers, the escape attempt was thwarted. The escapees were immediately re-arrested, and a secure correctional vehicle was deployed to transport all inmates present back to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre as a precautionary measure. According to one officer, the attempt posed a serious threat to the safety of court staff and could have resulted in a full-scale jailbreak had it not been promptly contained. Authorities have launched an internal investigation to determine how the inmates managed to orchestrate the escape attempt from within the holding facility. Additionally, court security protocols are under review to prevent similar incidents in the future. While the identities of the two Nigerian nationals have not yet been officially released, sources indicate they were facing charges related to fraud and immigration violations. The incident has raised fresh concerns about security measures in place at local courts and underscored the need for heightened vigilance when dealing with high-risk inmates.