Ikeja high court sentences man to 10 years for stabbing brother to death for killing brother during argument over a woman

IKEJA high court has sentenced Collins Abakwe to 10 years in prison for stabbing his brother Chibuike to death during an argument over a woman in 2013 after finding him guilty of a involuntary manslaughter.

In a tragic case for the family, Collins, 28, was found guilty and Justice Raliat Adebiyi sentenced him to a decade in jail. However, Collins, who was arraigned on a charge of murder in 2013, was lucky to get away with the lesser charge following a plea bargain agreement he entered into with the state.

Following the plea bargain agreement, Collins was re-arraigned yesterday but he pleaded not guilty to an amended charge of manslaughter. He was, however, found guilty and before handing down the sentence, Justice Adebiyi enquired from the convict whether he understood the meaning of the agreement he had entered into.

“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,” Justice Adebiyi ruled.

According to Mrs Olugasa, the lead state prosecutor, the convict committed the offence on Valentine’s day, February 14, 2013, on Adeyanju Street, Amukoko, Lagos. Pointing out that the offence contravened sections 221 and 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011, she also requested that the court should order the family of the convict to admit him in a rehabilitation centre.

Mrs Olugasa said: “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. he should be sent to a rehabilitation centre to enable him to undergo proper counselling when he finishes his prison term.”