Lagos court sentence man to 10 years imprisonment for stabbing his brother to death over a woman

A 28-year-old man, Collins Abakwe, has been arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for stabbing his younger brother, Chibuike Abakwe, to death during an argument over a woman.

The lead prosecutor in the state, Mrs O. A. Olugasa, told the court that Collins and Chibuike on Valentine's day February 14th 2013, got into a heated argument at their home on Adeyanju street, Amukoko after a friend's girlfriend wanted to pass the night in their house.

“Collins stabbed his younger brother, Chibuike, to death with a broken bottle during an argument. The siblings were arguing over a friend’s girlfriend who was trying to pass the night in their home. The misunderstanding became very violent and Collins ended up stabbing his younger brother, resulting in his death,” she said.

Olugasa said the offence contravened sections 221 and 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

The initial charge of murder against Collins was converted to manslaughter following a plea bargain agreement the convict had with the state judiciary in 2013 when he was first arraigned. Following the plea bargain agreement, Collins was re-arraigned yesterday Wednesday October 3rd but he pleaded not guilty to an amended charge of manslaughter.

“The court is satisfied with the jail term agreed upon by the prosecution and defence counsel. The defendant is hereby sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment,” Adebiyi said.

Before handing down the sentence, Adebiyi enquired from the convict whether he understood the meaning of the agreement he had entered into.

The convict, replying in the affirmative, told the court that he signed the agreement himself.