The prosecution team of the Lagos State Government has rejected the plea bargain agreement proposed by Joshua Usulor, a 21-year-old chef who allegedly killed a lawyer at the Citiheights Hotel, Opebi, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during Mr Usulor’s trial for murder on Monday at an Ikeja Special Offences Court, the prosecution counsel, O.A Bajulaiye-Bishi, informed the court that the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution has rejected the agreement.

“My lord, the defendant through his counsel Mr Spurgeon Ataene had applied for a plea bargain agreement proposing a sentence of 25 years imprisonment.

“Unfortunately, the plea bargain agreement has been rejected and we will proceed with the trial,” Mrs Bajulaiye-Bishi said.

The prosecutor informed the court that the Investigating Police Officer in the case, John Babalola, was, however, unavailable to continue his testimony.

“The IPO is not around, he is on an official assignment, on the next adjourned date, he will continue his evidence,” she said.

The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, adjourned the case until April 28 for the continuation of trial.

NAN reports that the prosecution alleged that Mr Usulor, a resident of No. 30, Fadiya St., Ketu, Lagos had on Jan. 26, 2019, murdered Feyisayo Obot, 34, an Abuja-based mother of two, in the room she had lodged in at the Citiheights Hotel.

Mr Usulor, who was also a lodger in the hotel, had allegedly gone into Mrs Obot’s room to rob her in order to offset his outstanding hotel bills.