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.
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.
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.
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