Alleged Killers of Cynthia Osokogu Arraigned for Murder

Cynthia Osokogu

Finally, the four suspects alleged to have killed Cynthia Osokogu, at a hotel in Festac, Lagos, were arraigned before an Ikeja High Court Friday. The suspects, Okwumo Nwabufo, Ezike Olisaeloka, Orji Osita and Ezike Nonso who were charged for murder, stealing, possession of stolen property were arraigned before Justice Olabisi Akinlade on a six-count charge preferred against them by the Lagos State government. The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences.

The State alleged that two of the suspects, Okwumo and Ezike on or about July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac Town, conspired to murder Cynthia Osokogu. The suspects were also alleged to have murdered Cynthia by administering Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablet into her drink, chaining her hands and legs and strangled her to death.

The duo were also alleged to have stolen three blackberry phones valued at N150,000, Jewelleries, an international passport and a drivers licence belonging to Cynthia after they strangled her to death.

Orji Osita, the third suspect was charged for negligently selling the Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablets to Ezike, the second defendant without a doctor’s prescription and without showing due care.

Ezike Nonso, the man who allegedly bought Cynthia's stolen blackberry bold 5 was charged for being in possession of a stolen phone.

At Friday’s proceeding, the first prosecution witness, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Njegbu, formerly known as Miss Ifeyinwa Francis at the time of the incident confirmed seeing the first and second defendants, Okwumo Nwabufo and Ezike Olisaeloka at the hotel at the time of the murder.

Njegbu, in her evidence-in-chief led by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye told the court that the second defendant left the hotel with the first defendant, who told her earlier he was going to get money from the ATM to pay for the room C1 where Cynthia was murdered.

The witness, who was a receptionist at the hotel at the time of the incident also told the court that she only went inside the room after receiving an anonymous call telling her that the defendant will no longer come back to the hotel and to carry out the idiot, referring to the deceased.