A 49-year-old Singaporean man, Joel Ezekiel, recently found himself in legal trouble after he posted a video of himself on social media demonstrating his sword-slicing skills. While this might seem like a harmless stunt, things took a dark twist when the authorities uncovered a cache of weapons at his residence.
The saga began when Ezekiel shared a video on his public Facebook page on Oct. 28. The footage showed him brandishing a katana in a public area near a Housing Board block. In the video, he unsheathed the samurai sword and, with remarkable precision, sliced the top off an isotonic drink bottle that was balanced on a water drum placed on a stool. The video, which quickly went viral, featured Ezekiel’s martial arts prowess but left many viewers bewildered by his actions.
Soon after the video went live, a concerned individual reported it to the police. Within hours of receiving the report, police located Ezekiel at his flat on York Hill. His arrest opened a Pandora’s box of unexpected revelations.
During the raid of Ezekiel’s residence, law enforcement discovered more than just the samurai sword that had caught their attention. In a shocking twist, they unearthed a hidden arsenal of weapons, including a butterfly knife, a flick knife, and a knuckle duster. These findings raised serious concerns about his intentions and activities. Moreover, drug paraphernalia was also discovered, prompting the Central Narcotics Bureau to initiate an investigation into possible drug-related offenses.
On Oct. 30, Joel Ezekiel appeared in court via video-link, wrapped in a blanket or towel, as he faced a charge of possessing a knuckle duster without lawful purpose. The prosecution requested an adjournment for investigations to be completed and proposed a bail amount of S$15,000. If convicted under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act for possessing a scheduled weapon, Ezekiel could face severe penalties.
For a first-time offender, the potential penalties include up to five years in jail and a minimum of six strokes of the cane. However, repeat offenders can face even more substantial sentences, with imprisonment ranging from two to eight years, accompanied by a minimum of six strokes of the cane.
As the investigation unfolds, Ezekiel will return to court in November to face the consequences of his actions.
