Fugitive arrested in Africa

ST GEORGE'S (CMC):

A Grenadian man who fled the country four years ago after he was slapped with a charge of attempted murder has been arrested in the southern African state of Botswana and is to be extradited.

Crofton Hannibal, 50, is accused of shooting a man with a licensed firearm outside his wife's law firm in St George's in 2007.

Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Nelson says extradition papers are now being prepared for Hannibal's return to Grenada.

"He was arrested on our request through a warrant sent through Interpol. We are in the process of preparing extradition papers for his formal extradition to Grenada."

Hannibal, a draftsman by profession, is accused of pumping three bullets into the body of Grenada-born Canadian resident Michael Antoine after a row over a drawing.

"He was indicted for attempted murder and was due to stand trial in the May 2010 assizes; however, he failed to turn up on the 10th of May 2010," Nelson explained.

"On the 11th of May, a bench warrant was issued by high court judge Francis Cumberbatch for his arrest. He has previously left the island and travelled to Botswana."

Hannibal had been placed on EC$15,000 (US$5,555) bail.