By Onozure Dania

The prime suspect in the murder trial of Cynthia Osokogwu, Okwumo Nwabufor, told an Igbosere High Court in Lagos yesterday that he never ordered the purchase of the drug Ryhophnol that was used to drug the deceased before she was murdered.

Nwabufor, said this while he was being cross-examined by Chris Obiaka, the defense counsel to the third defendant.

“I never asked the third defendant Orji Osita to sell any drug to me, neither did I purchase any drug.” He said.

Late Cynthia-Osokogu and back view of the suspected killers when they were paraded yesterday.

Nwabufor, 34, is standing trial before Justice Olabisi Akinlade alongside Olisa Chidera, 24, Orji Osita 33 and Ejike Ifechukwu 25, over the murder of Cynthia Osokogwu at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, on July, 22, 2012.

The defendant also told the court that the reason he had late Osokogwu’s blackberry phone in his possession was because she gave him her phone to repair and sell for her.

“Cynthia asked me to repair and sell her blackberry phone for her and I gave the phone to the fourth defendant (Ifechukwu).

He did not know that the phone belonged to Cynthia.” He added.

Earlier, during the trial an attempt was made to stall the proceedings by Michael Ajayi, who is the counsel to Chidera, the fourth defendant.

Ajayi requested that the proceedings of the court be stayed pending the outcome of an appeal he had filed at the Appeal Court.

The prosecution led by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye however, opposed Ajayi’s application for a stay in the proceedings.

In her ruling, Justice Akinlade rejected Ajayi’s application on the basis that justice must be served speedily.

Ajayi also declined the court’s request to cross-examine Nwabufor due to the fact that he was not ready.

“In view of the outcome of this ruling, I need a further date to cross-examine the first defendant.” He said.

Nwabufor , on October 31, while he was giving testimony before the court had claimed that the late Osokogwu was his lover and they had plans to get married.

However, when he was cross-examined by the prosecution, he claimed not to have a Facebook account nor to have met Osokogwu online.

Nwabufor, when questioned about his claims that he and Osokogwu were lovers, could not also say what she studied at university neither could he recall the name of her friends, hometown or date of birth.

Justice Akinlade however adjourned the matter to January 16, February 11 and February 18, 2015 for continuation of defence.