Posted by By Olayinka Oyebode, Tony Amokeodo and Sesan Olufowobi on
An Igbosere magistrates' court in Lagos on Friday sentenced famous actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, to seven years imprisonment, following her conviction for manslaughter.
An Igbosere magistrates' court in Lagos on Friday sentenced famous actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, to seven years imprisonment, following her conviction for manslaughter.
The presiding magistrate, Femi Isaac, however, gave her an option of N100,000 fine, following a plea for leniency by her counsel. Ibinabo, it was learnt, has since paid the N100,000 fine and secured her release.
The actress, a former beauty queen, had been on trial for the killing of a medical practitioner with the Lagos General Hospital, Dr Suraj Giwa, in an auto accident along Lekki-Epe expressway on February 26, 2006. Five witnesses were called in the case, which lasted for 17 months. The magistrate, while passing his judgment, said the court was convinced that Ibinabo was 'guilty as charged."
But during allocution, Ibinabo's counsel, Lanre Lambo, pleaded for leniency. He urged the court to consider the fact that the former beauty queen was a first-time offender, who does not have any past record of crime. He also asked the court to consider her social status.
Thereafter, the magistrate sentenced Ibinabo to seven years jail term with an option of a fine of N100,000. The fine, however, elicited a mild reaction from the lawyers and members of the Giwa family present at the court premises.
One of the family members described the judgment as 'ridiculous" in a brief chat with our correspondent.