[News] Man handed 21 years jail sentence for killing wife

A Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has handed a 21-year jail sentence to a man identified as Daniel Gajo, for stabbing his 24-year-old wife, Esther, to death.

The suspect who initially pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter during his arraignment and was remanded on June 13, 2013 over the act which is contrary to Section 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, changed his plea on Thursday June 16, as confirmed by the prosecution, led by Olayemi Shofolu.

Shofolu submitted the plea bargain and sentencing agreement signed by the defence counsel and prayed the court to grant the 17 years’ jail term as recommended in the agreement.

The defence counsel, S.N. Nwodo, confirmed the arrangement alongside his client who told the court that he was not compelled to change his plea for a reduced sentence.

Justice Adesanya who presided over the case, she was not impressed with the plea bargain due to the severity of the crime.

Adesanya maintained that the recommended sentence was not commensurate to the crime committed by the defendant, adding that the crime was “unprovoked and premeditated.”

She said;

“The defendant took his wife’s life in her mother’s home. I am not bound by the sentencing agreement and can decide to increase the years. No one has the right to take another person’s life.

“I have taken into account the statements of the parties. I also recognise that the court is not bound to accept the sentencing agreement. In view of this, I hereby convict you, Daniel Gajo, as charged. Having regard to all considerations, this court rejects the 17 years sentencing agreement. I hereby sentence you, Daniel Gajo, to 21 years in prison starting from the day of your remand, June 13, 2013.”