Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Wednesday sentenced two men, Idowu Fatai and Waheed Taiwo to 17 years imprisonment each for attempted robbery.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Fatai, 32, and Taiwo, 29, were first arraigned on Nov. 2, 2015.
The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty then, were consequently remanded while the case went on trial and prosecution called three witnesses.
They were re-arraigned on Wednesday, after a plea bargain agreement, and they pleaded guilty.
Delivering judgment, Okikiolu-Ighile held that the sentence was in line with Section 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011.
“The court has ascertained from the defendants that they entered into the plea bargain agreement on their own free volition, free from any coercion.
“I have considered the plea bargain and sentencing agreement which was agreed and dully executed between the parties. I am persuaded that the terms of the agreement are not only fair but just.
“Having found you guilty on the two counts amended charge. I therefore sentence you to 17 years imprisonment with effect from Nov. 2, 2015.
“Both the defendants would further be remanded in the correctional centre, at Kirikiri maximum, Apapa, until the expiration of their jail terms or otherwise,” Okikiolu-Ighile said.
Earlier, prosecution counsel, Oladoke Shomilare, told the court that the convicts committed the offence on Oct. 1, 2015, 8:10p.m., at Anthony, Charly Boy bus stop, Gbagada, Lagos.
Shomilare said that the convicts and others still at large, attempted to rob one Folashade Adenuga and others of their valuables.
She listed items stolen to include an Infinix and Samsung phones, a wrist watch, a jacket and a sum of N3,000.
She said the offences contravened Section 298 (1)of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Shomilare, however, said that prosecution had entered into a plea bargain agreement with the defendants.
“We are aware that this court is not bound by the plea bargain agreement.
“In view of plea of guilt of the defendant and the plea bargain agreement, we urge the court to accept same and make it the judgment of this court,” the counsel said.
Counsel to the defendants, J. I. Osagiede, agreed with the submission of the prosecution counsel and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.