Delta woman gets five years in prison for attempted murder

A High Court in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Tuesday sentenced a woman, Ifeoma Nlemuba, to five years in prison for attempted murder following a plea bargain.

The court presided over by Justice Diai Dumebi sentenced Nlemuba to five years imprisonment for attempted murder under Charge No. DTHC/ASB/(CR) 2024: Delta State v Ifeoma Nlemuba.

The defendant was charged with attempted murder before the Supreme Court 6, Asaba Judicial Division, having previously pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

In the judgment, Judge Dumebi confirmed the proposed plea agreement and subsequently sentenced the defendant to five years’ imprisonment, including time already spent in custody.

“The court confirmed the settlement agreement and therefore sentenced the defendant Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years in prison, including the time already spent in custody.”

The court also ordered that the defendant be provided with necessary medical care while in custody.

Public Prosecutor AP Popo, who welcomed the verdict, reiterated that this development would lead to expeditious dispensation of justice in the state as it would reduce the workload and save time for all parties involved in the litigation.

She said: “On the 23rd day of July 23, 2024, the defense lawyer wrote a letter of request (a request for trial) to the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to enter into negotiations for a trial with the Public Prosecutor’s Office in accordance with Directive 15(1) (2 ) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecution in Delta State 2024 approved by the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

“The defendant, Ifeoma Nlemuba, later pleaded guilty to the one-time charge of attempted murder in accordance with Guideline 20 (3) (a) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for prosecutors in Delta State, 2024, on November 5, 2024.”

“In accordance with Guidelines 23(a) of the Plea Bargain Guidelines for Prosecutors in Delta State 2024, the Prosecutor’s Office led by AP Popo submitted the signed Plea Bargain Agreement proposing a five-year prison sentence including time already spent in custody for the defendant.”

She encouraged the State’s lawyers to enter into the Plea Bargain Agreement in accordance with Section 21 of the State’s Criminal Justice Law, saying with this ruling, the Delta State Department of Justice has achieved a significant milestone in administering timely justice through the completion of a criminal case within six months of its submission.

She noted that the plea bargain ruling is the first in Delta State that would reduce the number of cases and time spent on prosecution under Section 219 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.