A High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, presided over by Justice Diai Christopher Dumebi, has sentenced one Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years imprisonment for attempted murder.
The convicted Ifeoma Nlemuba was arraigned on charge No DTHC/ASB/(CR) 2024, at High Court 6 in Asaba on a one-count charge of attempted murder, but she pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.
However, on July 23, 2024, the defence counsel wrote a plea bargain application letter to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enter into plea bargain negotiations with the prosecution, in line with the guidelines 15(1) (2) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecution in Delta State 2024, which was approved by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
The convict, in accordance with Guideline 20 (3) (a) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecutors in Delta State, 2024, then pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of attempted 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, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice Asaba, filed the signed Plea Bargain Agreement, which proposed a five-year sentence, inclusive of the period already spent in custody by the convicted lady.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Diai Christopher Dumebi, upheld the proposed Plea Bargain Agreement and consequently convicted and sentenced Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years imprisonment, inclusive of the period already spent in custody.
The Court also ordered that the convict be given necessary medical attention while in custody.
The prosecution counsel, A.P. Popo, applauded the judgement and affirmed that this development will lead to the speedy dispensation of justice in the State, saying it will reduce the workload and save time in litigation.
She encouraged lawyers in the State to key into the Plea Bargain Agreement in line with section 21 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in the State.
This plea bargain judgement was the first in Delta State, aimed at reducing the number of cases and time spent in prosecution.
