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| Prison guard, Blessing Effiong and a lawyer in court |
After almost four years in Kirikiri prisons for being in possession of a stolen phone, Blessing Effiong has finally regained her freedom. The 20 year old girl today July 4th pled guilty to section 430 (1) of the criminal code of Lagos state 2003. In lay man's language - being in possession of something suspected of being stolen or fraudulently obtained; an offense that carries 6 months imprisonment. The court today sentenced her to six months imprisonment but having served almost four years already, she was released and allowed to go.
What a joyful day! If this is all new to you, read about Blessing HERE
119 comments:
How is this joyful? She is now an ex-convict and will remain one forever for no reason other than her own plea.
She cannot vote, nor can she seek public office. Her future is very bleak in that regard.
Her lawyer did a piss poor job having her agree to plead guilty to such a charge. They could have convicted her based on her non-guilty plea then she could have taken it up to Higher Courts to have the sentence overturned.
Glad she's free, but the terms of freedom are not even remotely close to freedom.
Thank you so much linda for all your efforts..God will reward you with the best husband sooner than you expect!!
Wow!!! Am so happy! Tnks Linda 4 d good work! God wld bless all of u who secured her release
Yaaaaay congratulations Ble Ble.
Crase Man says...
Kudos to you Linda and your team for making this happen. I'm sure her family will forever be indebted for you. I didn't know that people still survive in kirikiri these days.
God bless you Linda for your efforts.
God bless u linda.
Del
1. She was actually guilty of being in possession of stolen property. 2. It is joyful because she probably could have stayed behind bars for 20 more years
welldone Linda
Anonymous July 4, 2012 2:37 PM, it is only a mad person who will say this is not an exciting news. Is being an ex-convict better than wasting life in prison for nothing? The Bode Georges, Alamiyeseghas are all living enjoying themselves even if they are ex-convicts. And who even told you she cannot seek public office? Of what importance is voting to her? You better thank God for her release than sit there typing nonsense.
POVERTY IS A CURSE, WHEN YOU ARE POOR PARTICULARLY IN A COUNTRY LIKE NIGERIA, YOU ARE AS INCONSEQUENTIAL AS A GRAIN OF SAND..YOU ARE INVISIBLE, AND NAMELESS, AND AS SUCH YOUR MERE EXISTENCE MEANS NOTHING TO ANYONE....THANK GOD THIS POOR GIRL HAS BEEN RELEASED...HOWEVER THERE ARE MILLIONS OUT THERE LIKE HER
WE LIVE IN A CULTURE WHERE POOR PPL LITERALLY HAVE NO RIGHTS...PPL DRIVE AROUND IN THEIR EXPENSIVE AIRCONDITIONED CARS, AND DO NOT EVEN NOTICE THE GRINDING POVERTY, DESPERATION AND ABSOLUTE SQUALOR, PPL AROUND THEM ARE LIVING IN!!!!.......
FOLKS WHEN WE MEET OUR MAKER WE WILL GIVE A THOROUGH ACCOUNT OF HOW WE TREATED THE LEAST AMONG US......MANY MADAMS AND OGAS TREAT THEIR MAIDS AND DOMESTIC HELP WORSE THAN VERMIN...AND THESE ARE PPL TAKING CARE OF YOUR KIDS, COOKING YOUR MEALS, AND RUNNING YOUR HOUSEHOLD...
IN THE US THERE IS A WELFARE SYSTEM THAT SERVES AS A CUSHION FOR UNEMPLOYED PPL, EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES IT IS ABUSED... HOWEVER IN NIGERIA IF YOU ARE NOT PRIVILEGED, OR HAVE RICH RELATIVES, GETTING A SIMPLE EDUCATION IS ALMOST NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE..
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ENTIRE OVERHAUL OF THE MINDSET OF NIGERIANS!!!!
May God almighty grant u the desires of ur @.Tanks & God bless
Oh what injustice! Nigeria, what hope is there for u? While the likes of Farouk Lawan, Ibru, Babagida, Atiku etc walk free even with clear evidence of their crime, Blessing serves four years with no obvious evidence. God help us!
well done Linda for fighting for her cause....i think you mean't to say layman's language though not lame man's language
Praise the Lord!!! God bless you Linda for all your effort. in your time of need, the Lord will show up for in Jesus name.
welldone Linda! apprec8 ur effort n all others who assisted wt ds lady'z case.
God bless u all> Amen
A Job well done linda and the team u worked with. she is still young. no matter what d story is, doesnt matter if she is tagged an ex convict or not, whoever wants to mingle with ha will do so as she is just an innocent girl who fell victim of a bad deal.
i wish u the best blessing.
She should be compensated for making her stay in prison for four years for a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 6 months in prison! If not in Nigeria, who puts an under aged child in an adult prison. Inshort, some people need to be answerable to this crime against humanity.
Thank God she's out though, she could have died there or spent the rest of her life in prison.
Wow! Welldone Linda. God bless U n everyone else dt assisted wt ds case in Jesus name. Amen.
good job!!!
Thank God for his mercies. Thank you Linda for your effort, may God continue to bless Blessing, her family and you Linda.
AMEN.
Thank God.
Linda! This is all thanks to you! Damn, if you can do this without being a "role model", I shudder to think of what you can achieve "being a role model"! Don't ever let anyone make you feel you are no role model 'cos you are!
Linda nwanne'm ndi Igbo be-anyi si na ekene onye akidi ya agwota ozo, onye asi jide nke oji putara na ona eme ofuma, ya mere m ji n'asi gi jide nke iji. May God in his infinite mercy bless u and may u live long to reap the fruit of ur kindness towards the poor and afflicted. Whoever says u are not a role model is indeed retarded. You've done great. Its indeed a happy day. @ Annon july 4 2:37 where were u when this girl was dumped in there for 4 good yrs? Even when Linda brought it to the notice of the public and called on the help of everyone what step did u took to see she doesn't plead guilty? or ur own is just to sit at home and type whatever u feel like typing
Anon 02:37: Obasanjo was an ex convict who went on to become a president. Marinate in that
YAY!!
See the joy I'm feeling right now..
Linda God bless you.
Well done!
Y well done linda? The story was on other blog as well so y well done Linda na she be her lawyer? Na wah o
This is a piece of good news in a country bombarded daily by a plethora of baaaad bad news. But to think one could do FOUR YEARS for a six months crime?! That is bad.
I just wonder, can she sue for the unduly long incarceration?
Thank God she is finally free. Linda you're truly a guardian angel.
Well done Linda, May God continue to empower you and shower His blessings upon you.
Whao Congrats Blessing and Thanx so much Linda for the assistance so far its now time rehabilitate blessing o please Linda kindly keep LIBers updated so we can assist get back to normal life iys veeeeery important
well done Linda. God bless u.
Gbam! @ MAXIMUS.
wher u enter since sef???
K God is good, finally. Some stay there for more than 15yrs awaiting trial. God be praised
How 6monts con turn 4yrs ...choi "smh" 9ja...thankGod 4 u blessing.
Well done LINDA. God bless u mightly
Thank you Linda for a job well done. May God Almighty richly reward you and all those who contributed in making sure that Blessing is out of the prison.
wini syno d vex wey de ur belle for anonymous 2.37 don make u provoke so tey u gbgogun for 'took' rather than 'take'.
LOL
u spoke well jare.
Well done Linda, You sure contributed to her freedom.
@ tara.. Well said Gurl . Am glad she is free! this is a joyful news.
this is to the first person who commented on this blog,u are just so dumb,is it nt better to be free than to die in jail for nothing,u can tag her an ex convict bt she is free indeed,obasanjo,bode george ,and the rest of them went to prison....anyway i feel like slapping u right now,thanks to linda and the whole team who made sure she came out alive
@ Anon 3:09- u should read up the story and find out how Linda has been involved in the girl's case b4 u start running ur ignorant mouth here. Mmmcchheewww
I'm tempted to insult some people here but I won't let their daft selves to spoil this happy moment.
Blessing has a lot ahead of her and she'll make it for sure.
Maximus are u male or female? I rily want to get to no u. Pls send ur fcbuk addy or email.tnx dnt send ur pin or number oh dnt want pple to steal it. I want u al 4 my self. Yea
Anon 3:09, weldon Linda because she facilitated the release of the girl!
she does not need to be a lawyer to pay for one and get the girl out of jail.
Linda deary, u do well jare, God Bless u
I'm sooo happy for her!!!! Iv followed her case for some time now..........sooo pathetic. Iv been praying for her also........thanks a lot for ur efforts, linda ikeji, and may God bless U̶̲̥̅̊ and every other person instrumental i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ her release. I'm soooo happy, cos I was having a bad day and this has helped lift my spirit!!!!
Linda, you'll be rewarded for your efforts.
My thoughts though. Why isnt't the Government, the Director of Public Prosecution & the Magistrate court being sued for the unjust incareration and abuse of a minor.
Obviously, the evidence of the felony was in dispute, but pending directive from the public prosecution..an adult jail? Really? For four years?
I am confused about the guilty plea too. Its obvious they could not prove she ommitted a felony. I mean, come on, a 16 year old girl singlehandedly robbing a grownass man of all those items? Highly unlikely.
Also, EXACTLY how was she supposed to know the phone in her possession was stolen? Telepathy? Can the claimant prove she knew otherwise when purchasing it? And when the owner did get in touch? Did she not act as a good citizen would by immediately offering to return the item instead of discarding it or ignoring the owner.
Are our youth being punished for doing the right thing now?
Thank God for d life of dis poor gurl,even though she was guilty of d offence it was stil a case of injustice cos d penalty of such offence is 6months she now spent 4 years.Dis shows ow corruption has eaten deep into our system even in d Judiciary.
Anyway tanx 2 people like Linda,u ar d Moses God used 2 deliva Blessin frm her Egypt...God bless u & ur TEAM linda...
This anonymous 2:37PM, u shld hv left ur name so u can b tagged properly..dan hide behind a borrowed computer n free internet n type shit... if dis is not joyful n gud news to yu den die where u are....OBJ wasnt he an ex convict, Mandela dat is worldly celebrated 2day...WAT WAS HE BEFORE? ewu ocha speaking english..biko Linda nwanem...GOD bless you so much...
becos linda went to visit her in prison,followed her to court ,got people to work towards the release of the girl...mumu if ur new to this blog dere it is
Serves for years for a misdemeanor and yet the entire government of Nigeria are walking free and running a country aground. SMH!!
God bless u, real good!
You are doing a good job. This is highly commendable BUT the story does not end here. There is a need for people to rally round and raise little fund for her to start a little business that an keep her away from idleness otherwise she is exposed to wicked men who are ready to take advantage of her pitiable state.
Can an account be opened for her and everyone who is willing to assist her send a minimum of One Hundred Naira to the account. One Thousand people will be enough to get her One Hundred Thousand at least and she can start something little.
Pls, let there be a follow up.
Congrats look towards the future and be positive
www.naijabreakingnews.blogspot.com
Well done Linda, very good news indeed. So what's the way forward for her? Any plans for rehabilitation? I'd like to contribute towards moving her life forward.
Thank you Linda. May God continue to bless you. You have just changed a girl's life.
so happy for her...GBU Linda
Linda God bless you and well done. Tomorrow some inconsequential flighty idiot will start talking about how you are a gossip and what not... their lips are sealed now abi?
Well done jare better person keep up the good work
Thank God for her freedom. Linda thanks for being supportive to her, only God can reward you.
God bless you linda ikeji..Almighty Lord will Grant you your heart desires through jesus christ our Lod.
Anon 2:37, oh please!!! its a joyful news regardless of all that u pointed out. its still better than rotting in jail for no just cause. Linda may the almighty God bless u for all ur efforts. Amen
Biko if u don't know d history of sth,ask around politely or shut ur gutter!y re pple uber stupid n annoying ds days ehh?exactly y I try to kip to myself!retards everywhere.linda paid d bills n did a lotta work to secure her release.now u know!pls dnt spoil my afternoon biko!God bless u real good lin!TONI....
Well done linda,and God bless u,buh 3yrs of de poor girls life wasted,our judicial system is very very poor
God bless u Linda Ikeji
Linda, please let us know what we can do to start her up again. I want a pv discussion with you though, on this issue too because my heart bleeds for her.
Suffering and smiling people. Smh. In a normal society, this girl shlda been smiling to the bank, the man who had her arrested, will already be cooling his heels in prison, the officers who locked her up and manipulated her age, would have by now, been explaining to his family about how he lost is job in a disgraceful manner and awaiting jail sentence. You all have become accustomed to abnormalities. It's pathetic. Nyways, thanks Linda for stepping in. I've bin 'disliking' u for a wyl now, but I forgive u for this.
I totally cannot stand people who don't see good in anything. You're obviously a very ungrateful human being. You better be careful before good things start to miss you.
Congrat o imagine what she would av'e got through.
The correct expression is in lay man's language....
oh!lilyyyyy..u r indeed a woman of virtue,may God continue to bless u and grant u all dt ur hart desire.IJN.Amen!!!!!!
WELLDONE LINDA IKEJI!!!
Thank you God, well done Linda. Blessing congratulations
Higher courts indeed. When its time to pay the lawyers would you come out?? Linda asked for help and you did not give it yet you talk about the girls freedom like it was a waste of time! Please mind yourself biko!!
Linda hun. this comes with mixed feelings, 4years for a stupid phone! She should be compensated for the 3.5 years of her life the system stole from her. Nontheless we thank God for her freedom. Is she the one you have been sponsoring her trail?
Heck of a job Linda! Thanks Linda for getting the girl the much needed justice.Almighty God will hear your voice too whenever you plead your case before Him, amen.
Thanks be unto God. May God restore all her wasted years and cause His glory to shine upon her. And may He bless all those who secured her release.
QF
TnkGod she's out,dts wat matas...odas av suffered worse
linda, you are a doing great. i celebrate you, i appreciate you for being a model of what it means to be a nigerian. kudos and god bls
Great Stuff Linda...for fighting for justice relentlessly!
Injustice!!!
@Anon 2.37Pm,
I note your comments and i must correct the wrong notions you have about this issue.
1. She can vote/ be voted for as she was not convicted of an offence involving dishonesty/fraud. All the prerequisites/qualifications for elections into any public office in Nigeria will not AFFECT HER AS SHE IS TWENTY YEARS OLD AND THE ONE THAT MIGHT HAVE DISQUALIFIED HER STATES THAT THE CONVICTION MUST BE TEN YEARS OR LESS FROM DATE OF CONVICTION FOR ANY OFFENCE INVOLVING DISHONESTY OR FRAUD. THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON WHETHER S430(1) OF THE CRIMINAL CODE QUALIFIES AS AN OFFENCE INVOLVING FRAUD OR DISHONESTY.SECTION 66(1)A-I WOULD AVAIL YOU SOME MORE INSIGHTS INTO THIS.
2. She was convicted of a misdemeanor and not a felony so there is a difference.
3.You had the opportunity of availing her with your expertise but failed to do so and now have the gall to say her lawyer did a piss poor job whereas twas the combination of the various lawyers(6 or more)that came up with the way out of the conundrum in which Blessing had found herself. You rather have her spend many more years in KiriKiri just because you want to prove a legal point? Guy/Gal, park well and stop ingesting what ever it is that you are on...
4.You alluded to "terms of freedom" which are not remotely close to freedom. This, i must confess is novel to me as the judgment of the court was very clear and straight forward. You also stated that "they could have convicted her based on her non-guilty plea". Is this not a contradiction in terms?
5. If you truly have anything reasonable to say, you should stop hiding under the cloak of anonymity and state your opinion. If you ever have been held against your will justly or unjustly, then you will understand how Blessing feels@ the moment.
Well done Linda! God bless your efforts! God that sees your secret efforts will reward you accordingly! We thank God for Blessings Life! God is Awesome
u r awesome linda! GOD bless u.xx
Imagine. So sad. Only God can help
Thank God ! She is free. Linda God Bless you for helping out in this girls cause. She needs rehabilitation, May God Use more People to help out this Poor Girl. Her State should take note. Ministry of Women affairs should also take note.
Chuka
Good enough, Blessing has finally regained her freedom.
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But we should not just begin to sing 'KUMBA YA' simply because she is now free.
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Its essential we assess the merit of the case.
.
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As it were, this young lady was 16yrs when she got sentenced; a minor. She got her real age(16) maliciously manipulated to 18yrs by some unscrupulous police officers in a wicked attempt to secure her conviction.
.
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In essence, this hapless girl should not have got to jail, if proper investigations were carried out on the case.
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Justice would only have been served when those wicked cops get fished out, rounded up and hauled into jail.
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And the girl adequately rehabilitated. Only then can we say justice got served!
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#My2Cents
All glory to God! Thanks Linda and all those that secured her release, May God never be far from u,may u excel in every aspect of life. God pls help blessing in every aspect of her life. Amen
Gbam! I think that anonymous was high on bile when 'it' typed that comment.
Hey, congratulations to u Linda and to all of us who prayed and wished that this girl a victim of circumstance will regain freedom. God knows the plans he has for her, and will bring her to her expected end. Linda, again God bless u, to the merciful, God will show mercy. Please, post this. thanx.
what step did you took? Seriously?
God bless you Linda.I think people should rally round this lady to help her back on her feet .you can open a bank account for her in her name and put it here for people to help out.God bless you real good.
Hahaha
I wnt maximus' pin as well
Such an amazin person
Very very well done Linda. Who says u r not a role model?
Exactly, How is this joyful? Is there any evidence that she steal the phone?
She serve four years for a 6 months sentence? And we call this justice?
My heart bleed. Am crying from inside.
Well done Linda and other people that are involve. God bless you all.
Please continue to seek justice for the people that are less privileged.
B
Can Don Jazzy and Mr OBO(David O) please send this young woman some money to start life with before she go enter Shalam runs(if she never enter before she go prison)
God Bless u real real good Lili n who eva was involve in dis humanitarian act!!!!! Zina Gh
Pple say dey r sori wen dey r abt 2 insult others buh I'm so NOT sori 2 say u r a big fool...mayb u shud tk a visit 2 d prison n see hw many innocent pple r dere n still avnt gone 2 court!!!! Oponu!
Pls if u don't kw wat 2 do wif ur fone or computer den dash it out instead of cumin here 2 say rubbish!!!bad belle I won't b shocked if ur also a blogger...olodo!
Her criminal record should be expunged or rather slashed all together. She should also sue the state for wrongful imprisonment. I really do hope she is working with great lawyers at this point who will do their best to reverse the last four years of this baby's life.
Its not the end of her life
This is just disgusting, I feel so sorry for this girl! If it happens in the western-world, she could sue the state. She would receive a substantial sum as compensation. She just lost 3,5 years of her life, so sad! I pray god will see her through!
God is great,thank you Lord.
Linda, all I can say is God bless you for your selfless work. Keep it up!
Bold 5,BB porsche and iphone 4s don comot 4yrs ago? The person that charged her to court in the first place is a very wicked and heartless human being.E fit be 3310 or Sagem the girl collect and now she don stay 4 yrs. No plea bargain for her, yet our politicians get plea bargain for looting us dry. Thank God she's out shaa
What else can I say, happy for Blessing and I sure know God have a plan for her. Linda only God will bless you for this. Amen
*Gbagaun police*,u had to shaa point dat out,issorai.
Linda u r wonderful for making dis work
Who compensates for the additional 3.5 years she spent in Kirikiri. ThIs kind of legal system does not inspire confidence at all.
Well said. But I trust Linda will have already made arrangements for this.
Well done Linda! Take a bow!
If you like dont post my comment.
www.eventome.com
this country is sick, a girl is jailed for four years for stealing a phone, while you have rogues and vipers stealing millions still allowed to sleep in their dens they have acquired through illicit activities and roam the streets freely....can we say psychotic syndrome??? God help Nigeria! Damn hypocrites!
Thank you Linda. You did a good Job!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fashion-Xpress-Blog/450785661617925
Well done Linda, you have done a great job! I'm proud of you and God bless you for this deed. And do not be discouraged or distracted by people' unguided comments in doing more good works. It pays!!
Sent from my Swag blue Nokia 3310
linda, you are a doing great. i celebrate you, i appreciate you for being a model of what it means to be a nigerian. kudos and god bls
Thank you Linda for all your efforts in securing the freedom of the young lady. God bless and honour you, Linda!
This is a VERY VERY SAD story. God bless you Linda this is the kind of thing Jesus said. When i was sick and in prison you were there for me. Millions of pastors and Imam's must have glossed over this story in the papers but would entertain and pray for all the criminals in public offices who steal public funds and pay heavy donations and tithe.Linda please keep us updated on what to do to help Blessing become her name in society. This is sad but its fine its for a purpose of greatness. God's blessings again Linda hi 5 dear.
halleluyah!!!!!!!!!!! Thank God
She pled guilty?! WTF!! The fact that she was not given a speedy trial and thus denied due process should have been grounds for the court to drop the charge against her. This is total crap! Meanwhile, politicians are seen on tape accepting bribe and walking free.
On another note, Linda, I commend you for your efforts. You tried for her and that is what is important. Stay blessed.
Linda, God bless you for your efforts in bringing this matter to a head. This is one of the main reasons I read your post and have gotten my husband to do same.
In the midst of a lot of madness you have shone light on a lot of unpleasant and unfair situations and have been able to affect a lot. I say again, God bless you.
I hope the young girl catches a break from hence forth. As for the lawyer and people that perpetrated this injustice, lets see how their lives start unfolding. I hope they have all asked for forgiveness
Let's go do some good out there PEACE
Linda, you are a star!!
appreciate your thoughtfulness on this issue, God bless you.
Please bring up the case of other Juvenile offenders rotting away in jail to give them another opportunity.
Importantly , dont leave the girl alone , shee needs to be integrated back into the society or she may actually resort to stealing!
Femi
Good job Linda, I believe God used you somehow to grant this chile her freedom. You are sowing heavenly seeds. May your reward be great in heaven.
Please, where's Blessing today?
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