Court Sentence Man Who Killed His 24-Year-Old Wife | READ DETAILS
Faith Ukanwa
Jun 17, 2022
Court Sentence Man Who Killed His 24-Year-Old Wife | READ DETAILS
The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced a man, Daniel Gajo, to 21 years' imprisonment for stab-bing his 24-year-old wife, Esther, to death.
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Gajo had initially pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter during his arraignment and was remanded on June 13, 2013.
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The prosecution said the act was contrary to Section 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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At the resumed hearing on Thursday before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, the prosecution, led by Olayemi Shofolu, informed the court that the defendant had decided to plead guilty to the charge.
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He submitted the plea bargain and sentencing agreement signed by the defence counsel and prayed the court to grant the 17 years' jail term as recommended in the agreement.
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The defence counsel, S.N. Nwodo, confirmed the arrangement with the prosecution.
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Gajo also confirmed the agreement under oath and told the court that he was not compelled to change his plea for a reduced sentence.
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The amended charge was read and he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter contrary to Section 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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However, Justice Adesanya said she was not impressed with the plea bargain due to the severity of the crime.
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She said, "The defendant took his wife's life in her mother's home. I am not bound by the sentencing agreement and can decide to increase the years. No one has the right to take another person's life.ÔÇØ
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Passing her judgment, the judge said the recommended sentence was not commensurate to the crime committed by the defendant.
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She noted that the crime was "unprovoked and premeditated.ÔÇØ
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Adesanya said, "I have taken into account the statements of the parties. I also recognise that the court is not bound to accept the sentencing agreement. In view of this, I hereby convict you, Daniel Gajo, as charged. Having regard to all considerations, this court rejects the 17 years sentencing agreement. I hereby sentence you, Daniel Gajo, to 21 years in prison starting from the day of your remand, June 13, 2013.ÔÇØ
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— Faith Ukanwa