JUSTICE Deborah Oluwayemi of a Lagos High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to top actress and former beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima.
The court had on Monday, remanded Fiberesima at the Kirikiri Medium Prison, Lagos, pending its ruling on her bail application.
An Igbosere Magistrate’s Court had in 2007 sentenced the actress to seven years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine for manslaughter, following her reckless and dangerous driving that led to the death of Dr Giwa Suraj.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Lagos State Government filed an appeal at the Lagos High Court while the court had on February 20, 2009 sentenced the actress to five years imprisonment.
Lead lawyer to the convict, Mr. Fred Agbaje had led Mr. Abiodun Onidare and five other lawyers to argue Fiberesima’s bail application.
Agbaje had argued that his client should be released on bail on medical grounds, pending her appeal.
Lawyer to the Lagos State Government, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), however, did not oppose the bail application.
In her ruling, Justice Oluwayemi said, “ Since the convict has appeared in court and the state did not oppose the facts in the averment, my hands are tied and I am bound to admit the facts.
“It is trite that bail is granted in exceptional circumstances, as the purpose of bail is to enable the accused attend trial. I hereby exercise my discretion in the favour of the convict”.
The judge consequently held that bail was granted to the convict in the sum of N1m with two sureties.
She also held that the sureties must be property owners, saying that their Certificates of Occupancy must be deposited with the court registrar.
The court also directed that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax clearance, adding that the convict must deposit her international passport with the court pending the determination of her appeal.
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