Cynthia Osokogu: Absence of defence counsel stalls trial

The trial of Cynthia Osokogu’s alleged murderers was on Friday stalled by the absence of a defence counsel, Victor Opara.
Opara, who is the counsel to Okwumo Nwabufo, sent a letter notifying the court that he was sick.
Four suspects: Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25, are standing trial before an Ikeja High Court for the alleged murder of Osokogu.
Ade Ipaye, Lagos State Attorney-General, told the court, presided over by Justice Olabisi Akinlade, that he was served with a copy of the letter in the court.
Following the development, the judge adjourned the matter to June 21 for continuation of trial.
NAN reports that the defendants were arraigned on February 8 by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ipaye had alleged that Osokogu was killed by Nwabufo and Ezike on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos.
The Lagos Attorney-General had claimed that Osokogu had met the duo through Facebook, a social networking site, and was lured by them to Lagos where she was killed.
Ipaye also said the suspects murdered Osokogu by administering Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablet into her drink, chaining her hands and legs and strangling her to death.
They were also alleged to have stolen three blackberry phones valued at N150,000, jewelries, an international passport and a drivers’ licence belonging to the deceased.
Ipaye also accused Osita, a pharmacist, of negligently selling the Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablets to Ezike, without a doctor’s prescription and without showing due care.
The attorney-general alleged that Nonso was charged for being in possession of three blackberry mobile phones belonging to Osokogu.