Cynthia Osokogu
By Akinwale Akintunde and Chiemelie Ezeobi
The police Monday arraigned four suspects in connection with the killing of Cynthia Osokogu, the daughter of a retired General, in Lagos.
The suspects — Ezike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka, 23; Okwumo Echezona Nwabufor, 33; Orji Osita, 32; and Maduakor Chukwunonso, 25 — were arraigned before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Magistrate Aka Bashorun.
Bashorun, after the eight-count charge preferred against them were read to the accused, ordered them to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending the advice of the Lagos State’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The defendants were charged with conspiracy, murder, armed robbery, rape, “unlawful administration of obnoxious substance” and “forceful administration of obnoxious substance” with a view to causing bodily harm, but their plea was not taken.
The matter was adjourned till October 3 for further hearing.
The duo of Nwabufo and Olisaeloka, both maternal cousins, had earlier confessed to killing the 24-year-old Cynthia whom they met on a social media platform.
Although six suspects were initially arrested in connection with the murder, only two were paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko.
Their charge sheet stated that the suspects killed the deceased by first administering her with Rohypnol Flunitrapezam, then binding, torturing, and finally strangling her.
The charge sheet also added that the suspects, alongside others who are currently at large, had robbed the deceased of her valuables including an international passport, wristwatches, jewellery and a mobile phone, amongst others.
The prosecutor, Chukwu Agwu, told the court that the defendants between 9pm on August 21 and 12pm on August 22 unlawfully killed Cynthia.
He said: “The deceased was given an obnoxious substance known as Rohypnol Flunitrazepam tablet via a Ribena fruit juice drink and her hands were bound with chains and padlocks as she was beaten and strangled to death.
“The defendants while armed with weapons unlawfully had sex with Osokogu and robbed her of her valuables.
“The offence contravened Sections 221, 231, 237, 241, 258, 295 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos state, 2011.”
The prosecutor disclosed that the obnoxious substance was purchased at Oxpharm Pharmacy situated at 32 Road, FESTAC Town, Lagos.