A High Court sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Tuesday, sentenced a woman, Ifeoma Nlemuba, to five years for attempted murder after a plea bargain application.
The court, presided over by Justice Diai Dumebi, sentenced Nlemuba to five years imprisonment in a charge No DTHC/ASB/(CR) 2024: Delta State versus Ifeoma Nlemuba for attempted murder.
The defendant was arraigned before High Court 6, in the Asaba Judicial Division on a count of attempted murder where she had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.
In the judgment, Justice Dumebi upheld the proposed plea bargain agreement and consequently convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment inclusive of the period already spent in custody.
“The court upheld the plea bargain agreement and therefore sentences 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, who applauded the judgement, affirmed that this development would lead to speedy dispensation of justice in the state as it would reduce the workload, and save time for all those involved in litigation.
She said, “On the 23rd day of July 23, 2024, the defence counsel wrote a (plea bargain ) application letter to the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enter into plea bargain negotiations with the prosecution in line with Guideline 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, 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, filed the signed Plea Bargain Agreement which proposed a five-year sentence inclusive of the period already spent in custody by the defendant.”
She encouraged 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, saying 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 six months of it’s filing.
She noted that the plea bargain judgement was the first in Delta State which, according to Section 219 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, would reduce the number of cases and time spent in prosecution.
