A petitioner, Oluwatosin Onamade, has faulted the approval of a plea bargain deal by the Attorney-General of Lagos State Lawal Pedro (SAN) for suspects who allegedly killed his assistant.
The suspects are Atunrase Omolabi (28), Shittu Olawale (28), Olaide Opeifa (40), Olanrewaju Adebiyi (35) and Jamiu Omosanya.
The prosecution said they killed Ifeanyi Godfrey Etunmuse at Western Funeral Home, Ijede Ikorodu, owned by Onamade, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijede LCDA, on April 16, 2021, ahead of the council election in which Onamade contested for Ijede chairman.
Witnesses had testified before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of Lagos State High Court, and CCTV recording of how the suspects attacked the petitioner’s office and murdered Ifeanyi, who was Onamade personal assistant, was viewed in court.
There was a twist to the trial when the prosecution approved a plea bargain for the suspects.
Prosecuting counsel, Michael Adewoye, stated that the A-G approved a 20-year imprisonment for all the defendants.
Onamade faulted the approval, saying a murder charge attracts life imprisonment or a death sentence according to law.
“They want to give them 20 years for all the seven charges, including murder,” he said.
It was learnt that the defence counsel brought the plea bargain application, which is allowed under sections 75 & 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.