Police arraign four in court over the death of Cynthia

Late Cynthia Osokogu

...Suspects remanded in prison

For their alleged involvement in the murder of Maj-Gen. Frank Osokugu’s only daughter, Cynthia Osokogu, four suspects, including two assistant pharmacists were on Monday arraigned before a Sabo-Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

The defendants, Okwumo Echezona, 33, Ezike Olisaeloka, 23, Orji Osita 32, and Maduakor Chukwunonso, 25 were docked on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, administering obnoxious substance, murder, armed robbery and rape.

Prosecuting Superintendant of Police, Chukwu Agwu, told the court that the suspects committed the offence between 9pm of August 21 and 12pm of August 22, at room C1, Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac, Lagos.

He said the deceased was administered an obnoxious substance known as Rohypnol Flunitrazepam through Ribena fruit juice, against her consent which they purchased at Oxpharm Pharmacy, 32 Road, Festac.

Agwu, who is the officer in charge of the legal department, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID), Panti, told the court the suspects bound Cynthia with chain and padlock.

"Her hands were bound with chain and padlock, and her leg, neck and mouth were cellotaped.

“The suspects gave the deceased many fist blows all over her body as well as several human bites, tortured and strangled her to death.

"The defendants while armed with weapons, unlawfully had sex with Udoka and robbed her of her valuables," Agwu said.

He said Cynthia was robbed of her valuables including one Blackberry Bold 5 handset; international passport with no. A01249397 dated July 3, 2009; National Driver’s Licence with no. GRE0002AA dated March 15, 2010; pair of shoes; handbag; artificial sex toy; jewellery pack containing three wristwatches, four rings, three pairs of earrings, one pendant, and necklace, among others.

The court heard that the suspects conspired and sexually assaulted the deceased against her consent causing her grievous harm.

They first and second defendants were very conscious of cameramen present in the court premises and always hid their faces from the camera.

Agwu said the alleged offences were punishable under Sections 231, 221, 409, 295(1) (2) (a) (b), 258(1), 237 and 241 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Their pleas were not taken as the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

Presiding Magistrate O.A. Aka-Bashorun who held brief for Magistrate Patrick Adekumaiya remanded the suspects in prison custody pending the advice from the Department, Public Prosecution (DPP).

"I hereby remand the defendants to the prison pending the outcome of the legal advice from DPP," he said.