A Lagos High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Blessing Effiong, a 19-year-old girl, who had spent nearly four years in Kirikiri Prison for alleged phone theft.
In the case titled People of Lagos State vs Blessing Effiong, the teenager, whose plea was taken for the first time (in four years), was charged with possessing suspected stolen property.
However, before the charge was read to her, prosecution lawyer, Mr. W. A. Quadri, sought and got the court’s permission to amend the charge against the teenager. The charge was changed from receiving stolen property to possessing suspected stolen property.
Also, before the new charge was read to Effiong, Quadri informed Justice Christopher Balogun that both parties had entered into a plea bargain and sentence agreement.
The charge reads in part, “Blessing Effiong on or about the months of July and August 2008 at Descon Hotel, Apapa Road, in the Lagos Judicial Division was found in possession of a Starcomms handset reasonably suspected to have been stolen and was unable to give satisfactory account of how she came by the same.
“Having possession of a thing reasonably suspected to have been stolen contrary to Section 430 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.”
Effiong pleaded guilty. Before his judgment, Justice Balogun noted that the law which Effiong contravened and pleaded guilty to carried about six months’ sentence or N200 fine.
“Blessing Effiong is hereby sentenced to six months in prison for having possession of a thing suspected to be stolen, contrary to Section 430 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
“However, the period which the defendant used in custody has surpassed the six months and she has therefore spent out her prison term and she should be released immediately,” the Judge ordered.
Also, before the new charge was read to Effiong, Quadri informed Justice Christopher Balogun that both parties had entered into a plea bargain and sentence agreement.
The charge reads in part, “Blessing Effiong on or about the months of July and August 2008 at Descon Hotel, Apapa Road, in the Lagos Judicial Division was found in possession of a Starcomms handset reasonably suspected to have been stolen and was unable to give satisfactory account of how she came by the same.
“Having possession of a thing reasonably suspected to have been stolen contrary to Section 430 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.”
Effiong pleaded guilty. Before his judgment, Justice Balogun noted that the law which Effiong contravened and pleaded guilty to carried about six months’ sentence or N200 fine.
“Blessing Effiong is hereby sentenced to six months in prison for having possession of a thing suspected to be stolen, contrary to Section 430 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
“However, the period which the defendant used in custody has surpassed the six months and she has therefore spent out her prison term and she should be released immediately,” the Judge ordered.
But the idiots who forgot this girl in prison will never forget a politician in prison abi? The will always fill for bail in less than 24 hours and it will be granted.
ReplyDelete#OccupyNigeria
The prosecution and the defence counsels should be sanctioned by the AGF
ReplyDeleteThat is Naija for you, nobody get time to remember the poor. But I know that all this will soon change. Comrade Chris
ReplyDeleteI agreed with you Comrade, nobody will remembered her coz she dnt hav godfather or godmother in govt. Barstards...
ReplyDeleteEdu.....
I think this young girl is entitle to compensation from the government.What they did to her was unfair.Here you see politicians stealing and looting without charges from the so called police.They should be ashame of themselves.No justice for poor people in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteThis girl should go to human right commission and claim her right
ReplyDeleteCan the so called judge eva come to his normal reasoning & put those who ar stealling in Gvt & forget about such fool/theif! God forget you too
ReplyDeleteWhen poor people re going to stop suffering in nija. Baba God help ur children oo, politician who stole big money no go kirikiri.. i think our prison in Nija is made for poor people not for those thief politician, thief Governor, thief President.
ReplyDeleteThats the problem in Nigeria. They will still tell us the prison is over congested . Imagine, someone spending 4 yrs to receive a sentence of 6 months ! She is even lucky. Only God knows the likes of her still languishing in jail. This is just too bad.
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