A Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court has urged the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions to quickly give his advice on the alleged murder of Cynthia Osokogu.
The Magistrate, Olalekan Aka-Bashorun, said given the nature of the case, especially the media attention, the DPP ought to have given his advice so that the case could make headway.
This is just as the police prosecutor, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, told the court that he wanted to consolidate the charges levelled against the accused persons.
The Magistrate said, “The DPP needs to hasten advice on the case. The case is sensational and media people are everywhere with cameras. I can only remand but it is the DPP that will decide the next step.”
Five men – Okwumo Nwabufo, Olisaeloka Ezike, Orji Osita, Chukwunonso Maduakor, and Gideon Okechukwu – were charged with eight offences bordering on murder, rape, robbery, administering an obnoxious substance to Cynthia and are currently being remanded in Ikoyi Prison.
Two others – Nonso Ezike (22), who is Olisaeloka’s younger brother; and Ezeaka Chinonso – have however been granted bail after being accused of allegedly receiving and selling Cynthia’s stolen BlackBerry phone.
Agwu told the court that he sought to consolidate the charges against the accused persons who were charged at separate times. He said the charge was being consolidated so that the matter could be heard before one court.
Agu noted that although the charges would be on a singular sheet, each defendant would answer only charges he is accused of.
“Those charged with receiving stolen phones will answer to their charge but because this is a cause of the same transaction, they will be charged on the same sheet,” Agu said.
Aka-Bashorun however told Agwu that since the five persons accused of murder were not present in court, he would have to wait till the next adjourned date.
“It is ordered on the prisons authorities to bring the defendants to court on October 5, 2012, so that the new charges could be read to them,” the magistrate said.
Mr. Chris Obiaka, counsel to Okechukwu and Maduakor (the pharmacists), complained to the court that the police had yet to furnish him with proof of evidence which he said would go a long way in helping him to prepare for defence.
Agwu however argued that proof of evidence was only necessary when the matter is transferred to a High court for trial.
The magistrate immediately ordered that the proof of evidence be given to the defence lawyers in order for them to be able to prepare for the case as expected.
