Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Thursday foreclosed the right of second defendant, Ezike Olisaeloka, to file his final written address in the ongoing trial of four men accused of murdering Cynthia Osokogu.
Olisaeloka failed to file his final written address since last June 16, thus stalling the case, despite being granted several adjournments for this purpose by Justice Akinlade.
Osokogu, a 25-year-old student of Nasarawa State University resident in Abuja, was killed on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, allegedly by her Facebook lover.
Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka, 23; Orji Osita, 33, and Ezike Nonso, 25 are the first to fourth defendants in the case.
They are standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stealing, reckless negligence and possession of stolen goods.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene and are punishable under Sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Olisaeloka once again refused to file his address, following which Justice Akinlade granted prosecution counsel Mrs Bola Akinshete’s application to file her reply to the written addresses of the other defendants.
The judge said: “I am not going to wait indefinitely for the second defendant’s counsel to file his final written address. It is on record that the court has given the second defendant several opportunities for him to file his written address since June 16. Up till now he has been unable to file.
“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.”
She adjourned till December 8, for adoption of the final written addresses.
Cynthia Osokogu’s trial has suffered several adjournments due to the delay tactics of the defence counsel.
At the last adjourned date on June 8, 2016, Justice Akinlade warned the second defendant that the court could award substantial costs against him over his failure to file.
NATION
