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Cynthia Osokogu Murder Trial Stalled By Defence Counsel

The Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere on Lagos Island could not make much progress on Monday, in the case of the late Cynthia Osokogu, … Continue reading Cynthia Osokogu Murder Trial Stalled By Defence Counsel


The Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere on Lagos Island could not make much progress on Monday, in the case of the late Cynthia Osokogu, as the two defence counsel failed to file their written addresses.

The late Cynthia Osokogu, a 25-year old postgraduate student of the Nassarawa State University was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012, in Lagos by men she met and became friends with on a social media site, Facebook.

Two men, 33 year old Okwumo Nwabufo and 23 year old Olisaeloka Ezike are already standing trial for her murder. They were charged alongside 33year old Orji Osita and 25year old Ezike Nonso, who allegedly aided in the commission of the crime.

The offences are contrary to Sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The first two defendants at the last sitting of the court had, however, told Trial Judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, that the Police obtained confessional statements of the crime from them, “under duress”. The case then went into a “trial within trial” to determine the voluntariness of the confessional statements.

After the defence closed its case on November 20, 2013, Justice Akinlade ordered the lawyers to the defendants to file their written addresses before the Christmas vacation to enable her listen to the adoption of the addresses on Monday, January 13, 2014, and possibly give a ruling.

Channels Television Judiciary Correspondent, Shola Soyele, reported that the Judge was angry that despite the length of time, the two defence counsel failed to act on the directions of the court.

She accused them of deliberately wasting the time of the court, and made another order for the written addresses to be filed and served on the prosecution within the next ten days, while the prosecution, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, was given two weeks to file his response.

Further hearing in the case was then adjourned to February 27 for the adoption of written addresses.