- As Court Concludes Criminal Case In Six Months
BY ONORIODE ETATSEMI.
DELTA State has recorded a significant milestone in the timely administration of justice, with the conclusion of a criminal case within six months of being filed, via plea bargain.
This feat was achieved in the High Court of Justice in the state, presided over by Hon. Justice Diai Dumebi, with the conviction and sentencing of one Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years in imprisonment in charge No DTHC/ASB/ (CR) 2024. Delta State versus Ifeoma Nlemuba for attempted murder.
The defendant, Ifeoma Nlemuba, was arraigned before High Court 6, in the Asaba Judicial Division on a one count charge of attempted murder, where she had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.
On July 23, 2024, the defense counsel wrote a plea bargain application letter to the Honourable Attorney– General and Commissioner for Justice in order to enter into a plea bargain negotiation with the prosecution, in line with the guide line 15(1) (2) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecution in Delta State 2024, approved by the Honourable Attorney–General and Commissioner for Justice.
The defendant, Ifeoma Nlemuba, in accordance with Guideline 20 (3) (a) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecutors in Delta State, 2024, the defendant, later pleaded guilty to the one count-charge of attempt to murder on November 5, 2024.
Pursuant to Guidelines 23(a) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for Prosecutors in Delta State 2024, the prosecution, led by A.P. Popo Esq. Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice Asaba, filed the signed Plea Bargain Agreement, which proposed five years sentence inclusive of the period already spent in custody by the defendant.
Honourable Justice Diai Dumebi upheld the proposed Plea Bargain Agreement and consequently convicted and sentenced the defendant, Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years’ imprisonment. This is inclusive of the period already spent in custody.
The court also ordered that the defendant be given necessary medical attention while in custody.
