The Court of Appeal Lagos Division, Friday dismissed an appeal filed by ex beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima
challenging a Lagos High Court judgement which sentenced her to serve five years in prison for the death of one Dr. Giwa Suraj.
The embattled president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was sentenced by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi for reckless driving which caused the death of Suraj in an auto accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
He was a staff of a Lagos State hospital.
Dissatisfied, Fiberesima in her amended appellant brief filed by her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina, urged the court to set aside the sentence and restore the decision of the Magistrate Court which sentenced her to a N100, 000 fine.
But, delivering judgment Friday, the appellate court dismissed the appeal and affirmed the High Court’s judgment.
In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur the court held that the trial Magistrate Court lacked the discretion to grant Ibinabo an option of fine after her conviction.
It held further that the appeal lacked merit and thereby dismissed it accordingly.
Other members of the panel are Justice U.I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu (Mrs.) (presiding) and Justice Tijani Abubakar respectively.
Ibinabo, who was visibly apprehensive throughout the proceeding, burst into tears immediately the judgment was delivered.
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