BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Eighteen months after the gruesome murder of a post-graduate student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, by some of her Facebook social media friends, a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, yesterday, accused the first and second defendants’ counsels, Miss Mosunmola Oladapo and Mr. Michael Ajayi of deliberately stalling the trial.

At the resumed hearing, the presiding judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, expressed dissatisfaction over both counsels’ inability to file their written addresses as ordered by the court.

Both counsels had at the last hearing closed their defences for the trial within which trial was to determine how statements were obtained from the defendants.

Counsel to the first defendant (Oladapo) told the court that she had not been able to file the written address because she could not obtain the record of court proceedings.

The second defendant’s counsel (Ajayi) also gave the same excuse, and the judge held that both counsels were not taking into consideration the fact that their clients were in prison custody.

The judge subsequently ordered that the written addresses be filed and served on the prosecution in the next ten days.

The case was adjourned to February 27 for adoption of written address.

It will be recalled that Osukogu, the only daughter of a retired General was strangled inside a hotel in Festac area of Lagos.

The defendants, Okwumo Nwabufo 34; Olisaeloka Ezike, 24; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25, were charged to court by the state on a six-count charge of felony, conspiracy, robbery and murder.