A High Court in Delta State has sentenced Ifeoma Nlemuba to five years in prison for attempted murder in a groundbreaking case, marking the first application of plea bargaining in the state. Honorable Justice Diai Christopher Dumebi presided over the court proceedings in Asaba, which culminated in a swift conviction under charge No. DTHC/ASB/(CR) 2024.
Nlemuba, who initially pleaded not guilty, later entered a guilty plea on November 5, 2024, after her defense counsel sought a plea bargain with the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Following the guidelines under Delta State’s Plea Bargain Guidelines for Prosecutors (2024), the plea agreement recommended a five-year sentence, including time already served.
Justice Dumebi accepted the plea bargain terms, officially sentencing Nlemuba to five years, with an additional court order for her to receive necessary medical care during her incarceration. The prosecution, led by A.P. Popo Esq., Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, praised the decision, emphasizing that the use of plea bargaining could streamline the justice system in Delta State, reduce court backlogs, and expedite case resolutions.
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“This is a significant milestone for Delta State’s justice system,” remarked Popo. “We encourage lawyers to consider plea bargaining under section 21 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, as it not only saves time but also lessens the burden on the court.”
With this conviction completed in just six months from filing, Delta State’s Ministry of Justice is setting a precedent for efficient legal proceedings. The case serves as a model under section 219 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which aims to reduce prosecution time and improve judicial efficiency.