FIBERESIMA: APPEAL COURT GRANTS LAGOS EXTENSION OF TIME

Ibinabo Fibresima
The Court of Appeal in Lagos on Monday granted the Lagos State Government extension of time to file its brief of argument in an appeal filed by a convicted Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima.

The appellate court presided over by Justice Clara-Bata Ogunbiyi, however, wondered why it took the state government so long to file its brief of argument and warned against a recurrence of the development.

Lawyer to the state government, Mrs. Rotimi Odutola, pleaded with the court to grant the extension of time, saying that the delay was due to circumstances beyond her control.

But the lawyer to Fiberesima, Mr. Nnaemeka Amaechina, did not raise an objection just as the appellate court struck out his application seeking a date for the hearing of the appeal.

Fiberesima was convicted by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi of Lagos High Court for dangerous and reckless driving which allegedly led to the death of a doctor, Dr. Giwa Suraj, and sentenced her to five years imprisonment.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, had in 2005 charged Fiberesima to the Igbosere Magistrate's Court on a two-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving on the Epe Expressway, Lagos that led to Giwa's death.

In his judgment, the Magistrate, Mr. A. O. Isaacs, found Fiberesima guilty on the two -count charge and sentenced her to seven years imprisonment for count one and two years imprisonment for counts two.

But the magistrate, gave the convict the option of paying N100, 000 fine to regain her freedom.

The ex-beauty queen reportedly paid the fine and regained her freedom.

But the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), was dissatisfied with the sentence of Magistrate Isaacs and filed a notice of appeal at the Lagos High Court.