Hyacinth Chinweuba
A Lagos State High Court, in Ikeja, Wednesday sentenced one Collins Abakwe to 10-years imprisonment for stabbing his younger brother, Chibuke Abakwe to death.
The trial judge, Justice Raliat Adebiyi handed down the judgement to the convict after finding him guilty of a lone count charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Collins Abakue, 28 was first arraigned in 2013 for murder and he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The trial had commence after his plea but he however made a U-turn during the course of the trial by changing his plea.
In her judgement, Justice Adebiyi sentenced the convict to ten years in prison for the offense of involuntary manslaughter filed against him by the State of Lagos.
The judge, before pronouncing the judgement on the defendant confirmed if he understood the meaning of plea bargain agreement he entered into.
The defendant replied in the affirmative, telling the court that he signed the agreement himself.
Justice Adebiyi while sentencing the convict held that the court is satisfied with the jail term agreed upon by the prosecuting counsel and the defence counsel who had earlier made their submissions after the defendant was ‘re arraigned on the charge of involuntary manslaughter.
She however sentenced the defendant, Collins Abakwe to 10-years imprisonment for the murder of his younger brother, Chibueke Abakwe.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Mrs O.A Olusaga informed the court that the defendant, Collins has decided to change his plea and the prosecution has also amended the charge against him.
The amended charge against him read that: You Collins Abakwe on14th of February, at No 54, Adeyanju Street, Amukoko stabbed your younger brother, Chibuke Abakwe to death with a broken bottle.
Collins pleaded guilty to the amended charge of involuntary manslaughter.
According to the prosecution, Collins and his younger brother on the said date had a quarrel over a friend’s girlfriend who was trying to pass the night in their place.
“The quarrel got so violent and he ended up stabbing his younger brother which later resulted to his death.
Olusaga further told the court that the offences committed by the convict contravenes section 227 and punishable under section 221 of the Lagos State Criminal law 2015.
She also prayed that the court will order the family of the convict to take him to a rehabilitation center for proper counseling when he eventually comes out of the prison.
Counsel to the convict, Scholastical Okoli however aligned herself with the submissions of the prosecuting counsel.