Ayodele Olalere
A defendant in a murder case and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ijede Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, Oluwatosin Onamade has raised alarm over alleged approval of plea bargain by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, for murder suspects
The murder suspects, namely: Atunrase Sodiq Omolabi ‘M’ 28 years, Shittu Michael Olawale ‘M’ 28 years, Olaide Opeifa ‘M’ 40′ years, Olanrewaju Adebiyi aka Maja ‘M’ 35 years and Jamiu Omosanya aka Orobo, are being prosecuted by the Lagos State Government on seven count charge of murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, willful damage to property, unlawful society (cultism), breach of peace and conspiracy to commit felony.
They were accused of murdering one Ifeanyi Godfrey Etunmuse at Western Funeral Home, Ijede Ikorodu, a company which belongs to the defendant, Onamade.
The incident occurred on April 16, 2021, during the build-up to the local government election in Lagos, in which Onamade contested for the post of the Chairman of Ijede Local Council Development Area.
The suspects had pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Witnesses during the ongoing trial before the trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of Lagos State High Court has narrated how the accused murdered the victim in the build-up to the local government election.
The court had also been shown the video recorded by a CCTV camera revealing how the suspects allegedly attacked the defendant in his office and murdered Ifeanyi who was his personal assistant in his office in Ijede, Ikorodu.
However, a new twist to the trial came when the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro allegedly approved a plea bargain for the suspects as against death sentence or life imprisonment as stated by the law.
The agreement between the prosecuting team, the Lagos AG and the suspects was communicated to the defendant by the prosecuting lawyer, Michael Adewoye ahead of the continuation of trial coming up on October 23.
In the message ,the prosecutor stated that ‘ the AG has approved 20-years imprisonment for all.the defendants. The plea bargain committee will write a letter to that effect to their lawyer to know if that is acceptable or not so that we can continue with the trial. That is the position.”
Reacting, the defendant faulted the AG’s decision saying a murder charge attracts life imprisonment or death sentence.
“After compromising with the accused, they want to give them 20-years for all the seven charges,” he alleged.
However, in his response to the allegation following a message sent to him to confirm if the prosecution team have been compromised by the accused persons, the prosecuting counsel, Michael Adewoye denied allegations of compromise leveled against him and the AG.
“Thanks my brother, my DPP has called me about the position of the matter and l have explained it to him. First and foremost I am not allowed to grant interviews to the press, any allegation or petition must be addressed to the AG.
Be that as it may, on the issue of allegation of money ,it is said that he who alleges must prove. Let him come up with facts and figures to substantiate it otherwise, l will take it up with him. Secondly, the matter is a part heard in which the prosecution had called four witnesses. The counsel to the four of the defendants brought an application for plea of bargain which is allowed by virtue of Section 75 & 76 of ACJL.
The plea bargain committee sat on it, made their recommendation to the AG and Hon Attorney-General approved a jail term of 20-years. The nominal complainant queried the approval and threatened to go to the press,’ Adewoye said.
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