Malta 'easiest place to escape from'

A police inspector this afternoon told a court that Malta is getting a reputation among immigrants as being the easiest place to escape from.

Insp Joseph Hersey made his comment during the arraignment of 26-year-old Nigerian Eric Aigbe, who was accused of trying to leave the country with a false Italian residence card.

Defence counsel Mark Busuttil said that Mr Aigbe's wife had already escaped from Malta with their children and was now in Italy. This, he said, was a humanitarian case where Mr Aigbe wanted to join his family in Italy.

Magistrate Anthony Vella said that while he appreciated the plight of the accused, he could not let crimes of this sort go on.

Mr Aigbe pleaded guilty and was jailed for three months.

When the defence counsel explained to him that he had been punished much less than the norm, he bent over and kissed Dr Busuttil's hands. He then asked to speak to the Magistrate, and told him "thank you my lord" .