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Lagos—Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, yesterday, foreclosed the right of the second defendant, Ezike Olisaeloka, to file his final written address in the ongoing trial of four men, who allegedly killed Cynthia Osokogu.
Osokogu was allegedly killed on July 22, 2012, at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, by her Facebook friend.
The defendants are Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33, and Ezike Nonso, 25.
The defendants are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, murder, stealing, reckless negligence and
possession of stolen goods.
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Justice Akinlade ordered the prosecution counsel, Mrs Bola Akinshete, to file her reply to the final written addresses of the defendants.
The judge said: “I am not going to wait indefinitely for the second defendant’s counsel to file his final written address.
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“It is obvious that the counsel is not ready to file his final written, address. I hereby foreclose the right of the second defendant to file his final written address and order the prosecution to file her reply on the final written addresses.”
The judge adjourned the case to December 8, for adoption of the final written addresses.
Prosecution’s prayer
Earlier, the prosecution urged the court to foreclose the right of the second defendant from filing his
final written address to enable her file her reply on the defendants.
Akinshete said: “Since June 16, despite the order of your Lordship for the second defendant to file his final written address, he has refused to do so. I, therefore, urge your Lordship to foreclose his right to file the address to enable us make progress in this matter.”
The trial had suffered several adjournments due to the delay tactics of the defence counsel.
It will be recalled that Justice Akinlade, at the last adjourned date on June 8, expressed displeasure over the delay of second defence counsel in filing his final written address and threatened to award substantial cost to the second defendant over failure to file same.
The prosecution said that the 25-year-old Osokogu, who was resident in Abuja, was lured to Lagos, where she was killed.
The offences committed are punishable under Sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
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