APC Chieftain Raises Alarm Over Lagos Attorney-General's Plea Bargain Approval for Murder Suspects

APC Chieftain Raises Alarm Over Lagos Attorney-General's Plea Bargain Approval for Murder Suspects

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Oluwatosin Onamade, has raised concerns over the alleged approval of a plea bargain for murder suspects by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro. 

The suspects, Atunrase Sodiq Omolabi (28), Shittu Michael Olawale (28), Olaide Opeifa (40), Olanrewaju Adebiyi (35), and Jamiu Omosanya (alias Orobo), are facing a seven-count charge. They are being prosecuted for offenses including murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, willful property damage, unlawful association (cultism), breach of peace, and conspiracy to commit a felony. 

The case centers around the murder of Ifeanyi Godfrey Etunmuse, an employee of Western Funeral Home, Ijede, Ikorodu, a company owned by Onamade. The murder allegedly occurred on April 16, 2021, during the run-up to the local government elections in which Onamade contested for the chairmanship of Ijede LCDA.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, and during the ongoing trial before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, witnesses testified that the accused killed Etunmuse at Onamade’s office. CCTV footage purportedly showing the attack was also presented to the court.

However, the trial took a new turn when Attorney-General Lawal Pedro allegedly approved a plea bargain for the defendants, offering them 20 years in prison instead of the life imprisonment or death sentence stipulated for murder cases. This agreement was communicated to Onamade by the prosecuting lawyer, Michael Adewoye, in preparation for the next court hearing on October 23.

In a message, Adewoye informed the petitioner: "The AG has approved 20 years imprisonment for all the defendants. The plea bargain committee will write to their lawyer to see if that is acceptable or not, so we can continue with the trial. That is the current position."

Reacting to the development, Onamade criticized the Attorney-General’s decision, alleging that the plea deal was too lenient for the gravity of the crimes. "A murder charge should attract life imprisonment or a death sentence, but they want to give them 20 years for all seven charges," he said.

Responding to the allegations, Adewoye denied any misconduct by himself or the Attorney-General. He clarified that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain under Sections 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), which allows for such agreements. Adewoye emphasized that the plea bargain committee reviewed the case, and their recommendation was approved by the AG. He also warned Onamade to provide evidence if he wanted to pursue claims of compromise.

"The prosecution has already called four witnesses, and there is no compromise on our part," Adewoye said. "Let the petitioner come forward with facts if he claims otherwise, or we will take legal action against him for defamation."

The case is set to continue, with both parties awaiting further developments.