By Onoriode Etatsemi.
High Court of Justice in Delta State presided over by Hon. Justice Diai Christopher Dumebi has convicted and sentenced one Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years terms of imprisonment in a 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 the 23rd day of July 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 negotiations with the prosecution in line with the guide line 15(1) (2) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecution in Delta State 2024 which was 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 the 5th day of November, 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 Christopher Dumebi upheld the proposed Plea Bargain Agreement and consequently convicted and sentenced the defendant Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years imprisonment inclusive of the period already spent in custody.
The Court also ordered that the defendant be given necessary medical attention while in custody.
The Prosecution counsel A.P. Popo applauded the judgement of the Honourable Justice Diai, affirming that this development will lead to speedy dispensation of Justice in the state as it will reduce the work load, and save time of all those involved in litigation.
She encourages lawyers in the state to key into the Plea Bargain Agreement in line with section 21 of the Administration of the criminal justice Law in the State.
By this Judgement, the Ministry of Justice Delta State reached a significant milestone in the timely administration of justice by concluding a criminal case within 6 months of it’s filing.
It could be noted that this plea bargain judgement was the first in Delta State which according to section 219 of the administration of criminal justice law will reduce the number of cases and time spent in prosecution.
