Naira Marley, Sam Larry: Trial stages to know as police probe Mohbad’s death

In a bid to unravel Singer, Illerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad’s death, a series of arrests have been made by the Lagos State Police Command. Balogun Olamilekan Eletu; Sam Larry, Azeez Adeshina Fashola; Naira Marley have been arrested to help with the investigation and Owodunni Ibrahim;

Owodunni Ibrahim, Prime Boy – Mohbad’s childhood friend who was declared wanted over failure to turn himself in as requested, have made a U-turn as he surrendered himself to the police on Thursday, 5th September and also gave a public statement on the issue.

The journey from arrest to judgment is a complex and often lengthy process within the legal system. It is a crucial aspect of ensuring justice is served in any society and in this case that Justice4Mohbad becomes a reality.

This article aims to provide a view of the legal processes involved, shedding light on the steps that individuals, both the accused and the state, go through as they navigate the intricacies of the criminal justice system. These are legal processes involved:

1. Arrest and Detention
The legal journey typically begins with an arrest. Law enforcement agencies, such as the police, have the authority to apprehend individuals suspected of committing a crime.

The arrest is based on probable cause, a reasonable belief that a crime has occurred and that the arrested individual is responsible. After the arrest, the individual is often detained pending formal charges or bail.

2. Booking and Initial Appearance
Once arrested, the suspect is booked into the police station. This involves recording personal information, taking fingerprints, and conducting a search. Following this, the individual is brought before a judge or magistrate for an initial appearance.
During this hearing, the charges are read, and the accused is informed of their rights. The judge may also determine bail during this stage.

3. Pre-trial Proceedings
If the accused cannot post bail or is not released on their recognizance, they may remain in custody until trial. During this period, several pre-trial proceedings occur. These include:
a. Preliminary Hearing/Grand Jury: In some cases, a preliminary hearing or grand jury is held to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
b. Discovery: Both the prosecution and defense exchange evidence and information related to the case.
c. Plea Bargaining: The prosecution and defense may negotiate a plea deal, where the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence.

d. Pre-trial Motions: Either party can file motions to request specific actions from the court, such as suppressing evidence or dismissing charges.

4. Trial
If a plea agreement is not reached, the case proceeds to trial. The trial is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system, where the prosecution and defense present their cases before a judge or jury.

The trial involves opening statements, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, presentation of evidence, and closing arguments. The judge or jury then deliberates and reaches a verdict.

5. Sentencing
If the accused is found guilty, a separate sentencing hearing is held. During this stage, the judge determines the appropriate punishment, which may include fines, probation, community service, or incarceration. The severity of the sentence depends on various factors, including the nature of the crime and the defendant’s criminal history.

6. Appeals
After a verdict and sentencing, both the prosecution and the defense have the right to appeal the decision to a higher court. Appeals are based on legal errors made during the trial or sentencing. The appellate court reviews the case and may uphold, reverse, or modify the judgment.

7. Post-Conviction Proceedings
In some cases, individuals who have been convicted may seek post-conviction relief. This could involve filing petitions for habeas corpus, claiming ineffective assistance of counsel, or presenting new evidence that could exonerate them.