THE RADIANT JUSTICE CHAMBERS, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY⚖️
Legal Nuggets
PLEA BARGAIN
It is a fairly recent concept in Nigeria. Plea bargain came into limelight in Nigeria in 2005 when it was first used by the EFCC to settle the case of corruption against former Inspector-General of Police Tafa Balogun.
The justifiability and legality of plea bargaining has been brought to question.Many people are opposed to the practice of plea bargain because it conflicts with what they believe to be fair and just.There is also the risk of sentencing innocent people who are forced to plead guilty just because of the possibility of heavy sentences.
However, those in favour of the practice argue that plea bargaining allows both parties to avoid a lengthy, expensive trial.
Also, the use of plea bargain in cases of corruption and embezzlement has been used to recover large amounts of money through the fines imposed as forms of punishments.
(For further reading, see "The legality of the use of plea bargain in the Nigerian criminal Justice system" by Tayo Adebayo LLP)
FROM THE DIRECTORATE OF LITIGATION AND RESEARCH
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