In 2005, actress Ibinabo Fiberesima was
involved in a vehicle accident in Lagos
that cost a man his life. Ibinabo
was arrested for dangerous and reckless driving and charged to court, after hitting the car of a medical doctor
The
case was taken to court and the Igbosere magistrate court sentenced her to five
years in prison with N100k option of fine. Ibinabo
apologized to the man's family, paid the N100k fine. But the Lagos state government objected to the fine and took the case to a
high court.
The
High Court then said that the Magistrate court was reckless when they gave
Ibinabo an option of fine for such an offence. The High court judge tossed out
the N100k option and sentenced Ibinabo to five years in prison, saying that
such an offence - reckless and dangerous driving which causes another person's
death is liable to 7 years in prison. Ibinabo's N100k was subsequently given
back to her.
She
and her lawyers further took the case to
court of Appeal, asking the court of appeal, Lagos Division, to set aside the
prison sentence and restore the sentence she received from the magistrate court
(N100k) but unfortunately, at the judgement that took place today March 11th,
the court upheld the high court ruling and dismissed Ibinabo's appeal, saying
it lacked merit.
Ibinabo
reportedly wept when judgment was passed. She and her lawyers are now looking
to the Supreme court to overturn the appeal court verdict. If they fail at the Supreme Court, the AGN
president will be spending the next few years in prison.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment