Trial has finally commenced in the murder case of a Nasarawa State University postgraduate student, Cynthia Osokogu who was allegedly lured to Lagos by men she became friends with on a social media platform, Facebook.
The late Cynthia died after she was allegedly poisoned, raped and strangulated to death by two of the men, Okwumo Nwabufo and Ezike Olisaeloka.
Presiding Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja refused all moves by the defence team to stall the trial and promptly took the testimony of the first prosecution witness after the arraignment of the 4 suspects in the case.
The four defendants all pleaded ‘not guilty’ to a six count charge brought against them.
The first prosecution witness, Mrs ifeanyiwa Njewu, a Biochemist graduate of the Federal University of Technology Minna, testified that as at the time of the incident, the 22nd of July, 2012, she worked as the receptionist of the Cosmilla Suites & Hotel at Lakeview, Phase 1 Estate, Amuwo Odofin LGA around Festac where the late Cynthia was killed.
In her testimony, she identified the 2nd and 4th defendant as being present at the hotel on the day of the incident.
Meanwhile, the court has granted bail to the 3rd and 4th defendants in the case. While the 1st & 2nd who allegedly committed the offence are still remanded at the Kirikiri Prison in Apapa area of Lagos.
Trial however continues on the 22nd of Feb.
The four accused persons are facing a six count charge. In the charge, the state alleged that two of the suspects, Okwumo and Ezike on or about 22 July, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac Town, conspired to murder Cynthia Osokogu.
The state alleged that the suspects murdered Cynthia by administering Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablet into her drink, chaining her hands and legs and strangled her to death.
The duo were also alleged to have stolen three blackberry phones valued at N150,000, Jewelleries, an international passport and a drivers licence belonging to Cynthia after they strangled her to death.
Orji Osita, the third suspect was charged for negligently selling the Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablets to Ezike, the second defendant without a doctor’s prescription and without showing due care.
Ezike Nonso, the 4th defendant was the man who allegedly bought Cynthia’s stolen blackberry bold 5 and he was charged for being in possession of a stolen phone.
The late Cynthia is the only daughter of a Retired Major Frank Osokogu.
She was a post-graduate student and the owner of a popular fashion store in Nassarawa state, Nigeria.
