Justice Yetunde Adesanya of a Lagos High Court, on Tuesday, sentenced a former bakery worker, Azeez Alimi to 15 years imprisonment for manslaughter.
Alimi was first arraigned in a Magistrates’ Court on July 12, 2015 and was subsequently arraigned at the high court on July I, 2019.
He pleaded not guilty then and was remanded.
The convict was re-arraigned on March 22, (Tuesday) and he pleaded guilty under a plea bargain agreement.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adesanya, held that the sentence was in line with the provisions of Section 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011.
“The court has ascertained from the defendant that he entered into the plea bargain agreement on his own free volition, free from any coercion.
“I have considered the plea bargain and sentencing agreement which was agreed and duly executed between the parties.
“I am persuaded that the terms of the agreement is just.
“Having found you guilty on the one-count amended charge, I therefore sentence you to 15 years’ imprisonment with effect from the time of remand, being July 2015,” she held.
Earlier, the Prosecution counsel, Mr Olayemi Shofolu told the court that Alimi committed the offence on April 8, 2015, at 6:30p.m., at No. 8, Okewode St., Lakwe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
He said that Alimi killed Woli Akin, when he hit on the head with a plank during an altercation.
Shofolu, said that Alimi hit the deceased in self defence.
He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The counsel said that prosecution entered into a plea bargain agreement with the defendant.
“We are aware that this court is not bound by the plea bargain agreement.
“In view of plea of guilt of the defendant and the plea bargain agreement, we urge the court to accept same and make it the judgment of this court,” he submitted.
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Counsel to the defendant, Mrs O. I. Osagede, aligned with the submission of the prosecution counsel and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.
