Cynthia Osokogu: Defendants Failure to File Written Address Stalls Trial

Akinwale Akintunde
Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere monday lambasted the defence counsel in the trial of suspects who allegedly murdered Cynthis Osokogu for the delay tactics approach being adopted to frustrate the case.

The judge who did not hide her displeasure, lambasted the counsel for giving unreasonable excuses to delay the trial.

The trial of four defendants who were arraigned for the alleged murder of Osukogu, a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, was adjourned till monday for the adoption of the final written addresses by the lawyers involved but when the case was called, the court was disappointed as lawyers sought for more time.

The trial in the past, had suffered series of setbacks due to the foot dragging of the defendants in filing their written address since last year.

The defendants in the case are Okwumo Nwabufor, Olisaeloka Ezike , Orji Osita and Nonso Ejike, they are standing trial on a two count charge of conspiracy and murder.

They are accused by the Lagos State Government of murdering Cynthia, a friend they claimed to have met on the social media platform, Facebook, on July, 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos.

Out of the four defendants, only the first and second defendants were represented by their counsel monday.
Last year in August, the judge had threatened to send the fourth defendant, Nonso Ezike back to prison for deliberately stalling the case.

However, based on the development, Justice Akinlade adjourned the matter to June 8, for the adoption of their written addresses by all parties in the matter.