The trial of seven persons accused of killing a post-graduate student, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, in Lagos was, yesterday, stalled following lack of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Ezike Olisaeloka (23), Maduakor Chukwunonso (25) Echezona Okwumo (33) and Osita Orji (32) are standing trial before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing Osokogu on August 22 in a hotel in Festac Town, Lagos.
A taxi driver, Gideon Okechukwu; and two phone dealers, Ifechukwu Ezike, 22 and Chinonso Ezeaka, 27, were also accused of complicity in the murder of the 25-year-old student of Nasarawa State University.
The police on October 5 substituted the charges to 11 counts and consolidated the cases against the seven suspected killers of Cynthia, the daughter of retired Maj.-Gen. Frank Osokogu.
At the resumed hearing of the case, the magistrate, Mr Olalekan Aka-Bashorun, was said to be on annual vacation while Mrs M.O. Tanimola, who held brief for him, was also unavailable.
The defence counsel was told by the court registrar that the matter had been adjourned to Nov. 27.
Reacting to the development, the lawyers described the handling of the case as tardy.
The lawyers said that the court was not showing enough seriousness in the handling of the case.
Mr Chris Obiaka, the lawyer for Orji and Okwumo, said that the fundamental rights of his clients were not being considered.
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