IBINABO SHUNS THE COURT AGAIN

Ibinabo

A Lagos High Court, this morning, ordered that ex-beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima, be brought before her irrespective of her health status, as she once again failed to appear before the court to defend her application for stay of execution, which she had filed earlier.

The court had earlier sentenced Ibinabo to five years imprisonment without an option of fine, having found her guilty of murder through reckless and dangerous driving. The convict, who was given an option of N100,000 fine at the trial magistrate's court, was sentenced by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi, after the Lagos state government had appealed the lower court's judgment.

But at the mention of her application for stay of execution of the judgment last Thursday, her lawyer informed the court that Ibinabo was hospitalised in a Port Harcourt hospital. The counsel brought a sick report to buttress his claim. However, Justice Oluwayemi rejected the medical report and ordered the ex-beauty queen to appear before her. She said her application for stay of execution would not be considered until she personally appeared before her. Her lawyer, Mr. Ijebu Ode Agbarawu, told the court this morning, that the convict was still receiving treatment in the Port Harcourt hospital.

Delivering her ruling this morning, Justice Oluwayemi ordered that a subpoena be issued on Dr. G. Harris of Braith-Waite Hospital, Port Harcourt, who signed the medical report sent to the court last Thursday. She ordered that Ibinabo must be produced in court at the next adjournment date. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos state, Mrs. Ayo Odugbesan, aligned herself with the court. Thereafter, Justice Oluwayemi adjourned till 30 April, for further hearing.