Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere on Monday slammed the defence counsels of the four suspects in the death of Miss Cynthia Osokogu, the daughter of a military officer who was allegedly killed by her Facebook friends in the FESTAC area of Lagos State in 2012.
Four of the suspects in the incident are Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25. The victim was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, FESTAC Town, Lagos by Olisaeloka Ezike and Nwabufo. They were further accused of luring the 25-year-old, a resident of Abuja, to the hotel and killing her.
The offences contravene Sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Part of the six-count charge preferred against them includes felony, conspiracy, robbery and murder.
Akinlade specifically accused Miss Mosunmola Oladapo and Mr. Michael Ajayi, the defence lawyers to the first and second defendants, as they were unable to file their written addresses as directed by the court.
At the last sitting, the counsels had closed their defence for the “trial within trial” to determine how statements were obtained from the defendants. The first and second defendants had earlier accused the Police of obtaining statements from them under duress.
But counsel to two of the defendants at the hearing on Monday, told the court that the defendants were unable to file their written addresses because of their inability to obtain the records of proceedings, an excuse that infuriated the judge.
The judge, while reminding the counsel that the suspects were still being remanded over a case that should have been concluded, said: “I followed up with the registrar to make sure that the record of court proceedings is ready, but you did not show up to collect it.”.
She ordered that the written addresses be filed and served on the prosecution within the next 10 days, while other responses should be done in two weeks. She then adjourned the case to 27th February 2013 for the adoption.
