Embattling past President of Actors Guild of Nigeria Ibinabo Fiberesima Spared Jail

Appeal Court Finally Grants Ibinabo Bail

Embattled actress and former president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has been granted N2m bail by Appeal court sitting in Lagos on Thursday April 7.The appellate court, in a two-one split judgment, decided that her application for bail had merit granted her bail pending the determination of a suit filed by her at the Supreme court.According to the court,the two sureties must reside in Lagos and must each swear to an affidavit of means of livelihood.

The actress filed an appeal to the court after she was slammed a 5-year jail term, for reckless driving which led to the death of Dr. Suraj along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, but her appeal was rejected by the court after the judges ruled that her application was incompetent, shallow and lacked merit.

The three man-panel of the Appeal Court said that the application was not properly filed as her counsel failed to attach copies of the judgment that was delivered by the court which affirmed the five years jail sentence imposed on her and adjourned the hearing for her bail application to April 7th when copies of the March 11th judgement would have been included.

She heeded the advice of the panel and re-applied for bail on health grounds which the court acknowledged and fixed April 7, as the new hearing date.Her sentence has generated several controversies and opinions from all angles. Many are of the opinion that she shouldn’t be jailed as that would destabilize her family, while others believe she should serve her jail terms irrespective of who she is.

Many actors in the industry have also led campaigns asking for mercy for the actress, through rallies and sometimes social media posts. Recently, Nollywood actor, Segun Arinze joined the list of supporters pleading on behalf of the embattled actress.

During an interview with HipTv, the actor prostrated to plead with Dr. Suraj’s family to forgive and drop the charges against her (Ibinabo).

“I am making a solemn appeal here and I’m saying please, if I could even go on my knees and they see me go on my knees, to the Giwa family, I beg you in the name of God, forgive Ibinabo. It has past and it has past, nobody prayed that what happened would happen.” he pleaded.