Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a man, Adeola Agbonrin, to 21 years imprisonment for manslaughter.
The judge handed down the verdict after the convict’s plea of guilty to a one-count amended charge of manslaughter brought against him by the State government.
Agbonrin, who had initially pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of murdering one Matha Farinmade, changed his plea after entering into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, told the court that Agbonrin committed the offence on January 7, 2012, at No. 32 Mojalate Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.
Martins had claimed that the offence was contrary to Section 225 of the Criminal Law, CH: C. 17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
He further informed the court of the plea bargain agreement between the parties, stating that the parties have agreed that the defendant should serve a jail term of 21 years from the date of remand.
After listening to the lawyer, Justice Lawal-Akapo asked the convict if he was forced to change his plea, and Agbonrin answered that he willingly approached the prosecution himself.
The defence counsel, Victor Amaechi, pleaded with the court to temper Justice with mercy, adding that the defendant is now remorseful.
Justice Lawal-Akapo, in his judgment, held that the defendant was remanded in prison custody on February 9, 2012, and has been in custody for 12 years and four months.
The judge also held that he was satisfied that the defendant understood the charge and the facts presented. “I am also happy he entered the plea bargain agreement freely without being influenced. So, I’m going to accept his guilty plea.
“You, Adeola Agbonrin, are now sentenced to twenty-one (21) years imprisonment commencing from 9th February 2012,” he ordered.
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