TVC E, NOLLYWOOD – An Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a suit filed by embattled President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima to challenge her five years prison sentence for the death of one Dr. Giwa Suraj.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, had in 2005 charged Fiberesima to an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving along the Lekki- Epe Expressway, Lagos which resulted in the death of Suraj.
She was awarded a N100, 000 fine by the court, but the decision was tested at the High Court by the Lagos State Government.
At the High Court, Justice Oluwayemi set aside the option of N100, 000 fine imposed and sentenced Fiberesima to five years imprisonment for dangerous and reckless driving.
She held that the trial magistrate exercised judicial recklessness when he gave the convict an option of N100, 000 fine and this did not serve the purpose of justice.
Dissatisfied, Fiberesima in her amended appellant brief filed by her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina, urged the Appeal Court to set aside the sentence and restore the decision of the Magistrate’s Court which sentenced her to a N100,000 fine.
But delivering judgment on Friday, the appellate court dismissed the appeal and affirmed the High Court’s judgment.
The influential Nollywood actress broke down in tears and was inconsolable following the judgement, according to reports.
Her lawyers have made an immediate move to file a Notice of Appeal in the Supreme Court.
