Friday, July 5,2013 -- The abscense of the trial judge, Olabisi Akinlade, stalled the trial of Cynthia Osokogu's alleged murderers. Mrs Akinlade was "indisposed," according to the court registrar's words.
The case was adjourned until September 20 for a 'trial-within-trial'.
This blog reminds that the late 24-year-old Ms. Osokogu 24 was drugged and subsequently murdered in a hotel room in July 2012 in Festac, Lagos. The suspects, Okwumo Nwabufor and Olisaeloka Ezike, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder itself, and felony.
A post-mortem examination has shown that the deceased died from asphyxia (absence of oxygen supply to the body). Seven witnesses have testified in the ongoing trial.
Several others also stand trial for being involved in the events that led to tragedy. A pharmacist Osita Orji, who sold the drug to the alleged murderers, faces charges for "reckless and negligent act". Nonso Ezike is charged with possession of stolen property for pawning the deceased's Blackberry phone.
Messrs Nwabufor and Olisaeloka allegedly gave confessional statements, and Friday's 'trial-within-trial' was to "determine whether the statement was made voluntarily," according to Victor Opara, counsel to Mr. Nwabufor.
"The police say they had obtained a confessional statement from both the first and second defendants [Mr. Nwabufor and Olisaeloka respectively]," Mr. Opara said. "The trial-within-trial would determine whether the statement was made voluntarily. If the court comes to a conclusion that it was made under duress, it would not be admitted. The larger trial is still on."
While Mr. Orji, the pharmacist, was granted bail by the court and had been attending from home, other defendants arrived from the Kirikiri Prison. When it was time to go back to the jail, Mr. Nwabufor limped out of the court, looking physically unwell.
The shocking and revealing details of the murder were revealed earlier by the police investigative officer with Area E, Festac Town. Mr. Edo, a police Inspector, stated that Ms. Osokogu was chained and strangled to death by her killers. During the interrogation, "Nwabufor confronted Ezike at the station, saying 'Why did you bring me to the police to arrest me? Why didn't you tell them you strangled the deceased to death?'" Mr. Edo narrated during his testimony.
Mr. Nwabufor, as Edo further stated, had confessed to the police that his accomplice Mr. Olisaeloka placed Ms. Osokogu's international passport on her chest and took her photograph with his blackberry phone -- when she was already dead.
The police recovered some property of the deceased at Mr. Olisaeloka's home, which were tendered before the court: two international passports belonging to Ms. Osokogu, her driver's licence, a vibrator, jewelries, a pair of shoes, and two bags; also, a laptop, two mobile phones, and a pair of sunglasses.
