Trial of the alleged murderers of
Miss Cynthia Osukogu, who was murdered in a hotel at Festac
town, Lagos on July 22, could not hold on Monday, as scheduled because the
presiding magistrate is on leave.
Magistrate Olalekan Aka Bashorun of
the Yaba Magistrate Court had ordered the suspects to be remanded in the prison
custody until November 5, when the matter was scheduled for hearing.
The case, however, did not go on,
as the court registrar announced that the court would not sit because the
magistrate was on leave. The matter was adjourned till November 27.
The prosecution team, led by
Chukwu Agwu and the defendants counsel, however, had a disagreement on the
fixed date.
They were unable to reach a
consensus on the next date for hearing during the court hours.=
It will be recalled that the
prosecution team had presented new charges before the court, charging the first
five defendants - Okwumo Echezona Nwabufo, Ezikeil Ilechukwu Olisaeloka, Orji
Osita, Maduakoa Chukwunonso and Gideon Okechukwu on a nine-count charge of
felony, conspiracy, murder, robbery, rape, unlawful sexual intercourse,
unlawful administration of obnoxious substance known as rohypnol flunitrazepam
tablets, drug administration against victims consent and false pretence.
The sixth and seventh defendants;
Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu and Ezeaka Chinonso, were charged on a two-count charge
of receiving robbed/stolen property and knowingly receiving a white Blackberry
Bold 5 valued at N85, 000 from Ezikeil.