Police in British Columbia have issued an arrest warrant for former correctional officer Naila Sheikh, who is suspected of aiding one of Canada's most dangerous criminals in his escape from prison. Sheikh has been charged with breach of trust, personation with intent to gain advantage, and unauthorized use of a computer, according to CBC News.
Sheikh served as the case manager for gangster Rabih “Robby” Alkhalil, who escaped from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam in July 2022. She is also wanted for impersonating Shamaila Sheikh in or near Victoria for personal gain. Court documents indicate the charges stem from incidents between February and March 2024.
Who is Rabih Alkhalil?
Alkhalil is a twice-convicted underworld killer who was once Canada's most wanted fugitive. After his escape, he fled to Qatar, where he was arrested in September 2023 and remains detained pending extradition to Canada. He allegedly attempted to escape twice while in Qatar.
The hitman was convicted of first-degree murder in the January 2012 killing of gangland rival Sandip Duhre in downtown Vancouver. A B.C. jury found him guilty in absentia in August 2022, one month after his prison escape. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2017 for his role in the daylight execution of Johnny Raposo, who was shot on a patio in Toronto's Little Italy. Alkhalil fled to Greece before being extradited back to Canada to stand trial. He was also convicted for cocaine trafficking in Quebec.
The B.C. escape details
Alkhalil's escape became infamous when two accomplices disguised as commercial contractors used a plasma torch to cut open an outdoor security grate. The killer put on a safety vest and walked out into a waiting white Ford van. Three others were charged with conspiracy in the escape: Ryan Van Gool, 46, of Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.; Edward Ayoub, 48, and John Potvin, 49, both of Ottawa. Potvin was arrested in Spain and extradited back to Canada in January. They face charges of prison breach and conspiracy to commit prison breach for allegedly posing as contractors to help Alkhalil escape.
Now, police are searching for Naila Sheikh, though it is unclear if the charges against her are directly tied to the escape. She is the second former B.C. correctional employee to be charged over the past year. Ramandeep Rai, 31, of Abbotsford, faced two breach of trust charges unrelated to the prison break. On Wednesday, Rai received a two-year conditional sentence to be served in the community for failing to report that an inmate, with whom she was having a sexual relationship, had a cellphone.
Acting communications counsel Ann Seymour of the B.C. Prosecution Service confirmed to CBC that the charge against Sheikh was sworn on May 28. There have been no court appearances as there is a warrant outstanding for her arrest.
