Cynthia Osokogu?s murder: Judge accuses defence counsel of stalling trial

Cynthia Osokogu’s murder: Judge
accuses defence counsel of stalling trial
on january 13, 2014 at 2:07 pm in news
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Lagos – Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High
Court sitting in Igbosere on Monday accused the
defence counsel of stalling the trial of the four men
charged with the murder of Cynthia Osokogu in
Lagos in 2012.
Akinlade made the accusation when counsel to the
first and second defendants — Miss Mosunmola
Oladapo and Mr Michael Ajayi — were unable to file
their written addresses as directed by the court.
The defendants are Okwumo Nwabufo, 33;
Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike
Nonso, 25.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
Osokogu was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012
at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town,
Lagos, by her facebook lovers — Ezike and
Nwabufo.
The counsel had at the last hearing closed their
defence for the “trial within trial’’ which was to
determine how statements were obtained from the
defendants.
At the resumed hearing, the counsel told the court
that they were unable to file their written addresses
because of their inability to obtain the records of
proceedings.
The judge then accused the counsel of deliberately
stalling the trial, noting that they failed to consider
that the accused were still in prison custody.
“I followed up with the registrar to make sure that
the record of court proceedings is ready, but you
did not show up to collect it,” Akinlade said.
The judge ordered that the written addresses should
be filed and served on the prosecution within the
next ten days, while other response should be done
in two weeks.
She adjourned the case to Feb. 27 for the adoption
of written addresses.
The first and second defendants had at the last
hearing told the court that statements were
forcefully obtained from them.
NAN also reports that the men are facing a six-
count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder,
stealing, reckless negligence and possession of
stolen goods.
The prosecution said the 25-year-old Osokogu, who
was resident in Abuja, was lured to Lagos where
she was killed.
The offences contravened Sections 221, 249, 285
and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
(NAN)