Consultant Pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, on Friday told a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that the late Cynthia Osokogu was strangulated by her killers.
Obafunwa was testifying at the resumed trial of four men allegedly involved in the death of the 25-year-old lady who was murdered at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos on July 22, 2012.
The defendants; Okwumo Nwabufo , Olisaeloka Ezike , Orji Osita and Ezike Nonso were charged to court by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Obafunwa, who is the Chief Medical Examiner of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, told the court presided over by Justice Olabisi Akinlade that he conducted autopsy on Osokogu’s body.
The pathologist, led in evidence by the Lagos State Attorney General, Mr Ade Ipaye, said their findings revealed that the deceased was gagged and choked by her killers.
“From our findings, the deceased was asphyxiated which means absence of oxygen supply to the body.
“That was the immediate cause of death. It was as a result of the blockage of her upper respiratory airways.
“This blockage was caused by the deceased being gagged and choked,” Obafunwa said.
He told the court that there were multiple bruises and abrasions in Osokogu’s body, adding that what appears to be bite marks were on the front of her two thighs.
Obafunwa also insisted that the injuries on the body of the deceased could not have been self-inflicted.
Meanwhile the court also admitted as exhibits, 15 photographs of the crime scene taken by one, Mr Lucky Enamelo, a professional photographer.
The judge dismissed the objections of the defence counsel and admitted the photographs as Exhibit P1 to PO.
Ipaye also called the manager of Cosmilla Hotel, Mr Victor Ugweke to testify before the court.
Ugweke said he was informed that a body was in Room C1 of the hotel by the receptionist after she opened the room with a master key he had given her.
He said he went to the FESTAC Police Station to report the incident, adding that the police later came and took the body to the Ikeja General Hospital.
The matter was adjourned till May 24 for continuation of trial.
