Armed robbers may have picked up the idea of plea bargain from suspects being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency as they have started deploying the tactics in order to escape justice after failed robbery operations in Lagos.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it got exposed following what happened at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, after three suspected armed robbers sought for plea bargain in order to have minimal punishment on the criminal charges.
Three defendants, Abolaji Kehinde, Tunde Jamiu and Uche John, were arraigned before the Court for conspiracy and armed robbery, for which they initially pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned for trial.
However, on the adjourned date on Monday, the defendants sought for plea bargain so that they will not get the maximum penalty for the alleged offence they committed, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
During the Court hearing, the matter was further adjourned till 8th November, 2023, for the hearing of a plea bargain as requested by the defendants through their defence counsel, Mrs. Uche Onoha, who also told the Court that the first defendant died while in custody.
She informed the Court that the defendants applied for a plea bargain on 5th October, 2023 and wanted the Court to consider the application.
The State Prosecutor, Mr. Ola Azeez, did not object to the application.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, adjourned the matter for the hearing of the plea bargain while the defendants were still remanded pending when the Court will consider the application.
Justice Ogala however, advised the prosecutor to tidy up the processes before the commencement of the trial in order for the Court to decide on the matter.