by ‘Jola Sotubo

Osuji Kelly Prince, a suspected Nigerian drug dealer caught in Malaysia, is now on the run.

It was reported by the Malaysian media that Prince escaped from the detention facility where he was being held on August 12 and may have fled to Thailand.

The 25-year-old suspect was reportedly assisted by a 52-year-old corporal in effecting his escape from the Jinjang Detention Centre, where he was held for drugs possession.

According to reports,  the Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department chief, Noor Rashid Ibrahim, said he obtained the information through their intelligence network.

“He had it planned all along and we are working with Thai police to trace him and have him deported to Malaysia,” he said.

Prince was arrested by Malaysian authorities on August 1 with 9 kilogrammes of methamphetamine (called syabu in Malaysia). The drugs were believed to be worth about N439 million (RM9 million).

The 52-year-old corporal, who had pending disciplinary issues related to his work prior to the case, has been charged in court for aiding Prince’s escape.

It would be reminded that according to Malaysian laws, drug trafficking/dealing is punished by the death penalty. The latest example is the Nigerian student, Ugonna Philip Nwankwo, who was sentenced to death by the Malaysian Shah Alam High Court on July 25, 2013.