Irked by the seeming delay tactics employed by defence counsel in the ongoing trial of alleged murderers of Cynthia Osokogu, Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, has threatened to return the fourth defendant, Nonso Ezike, to prison.
Justice Akinlade who frowned at the unavailability of Ezike’s lawyer, C.J. Ajakona, in court during Tuesday’s proceedings, noted that the lawyers were deliberately frustrating the trial.
She vowed to revoke Ezike’s bail at the next adjournment if his lawyer fail to file his “no case submission” application before her.
Ezike, a brother to the second defendant, Olisaeloka Ezike, is being tried for selling the late Osokogu’s BlackBerry Phone.
Justice Akinlade said: “I tell you at the next adjourned date if nothing is filed, I will revoke your bail and send you back to prison. Then your lawyer will know what to do.
“It is because you have been on bail that is why your lawyer is wasting the time of the court. It is a deliberate act.
“The court is already on vacation but I left the comfort of my home, thinking that the case will go on today, only for my time to be wasted.”
According to Ezike, he was informed his counsel had a fatal accident when he called his telephone on Monday.
The fourth defendant also told the court that he has a feeling his lawyer was not serious with the matter, recalling how the counsel told him he had forgotten about the matter when he called him before the last adjournment.
He notified the court of his intention to appoint Chris Obiaka, counsel to the third defendant, Osita Orji (Pharmacist) to take over his representation.
Adjourning the case to October 26 for adoption of “no case submission” of the third and fourth defendants, Justice Akinlade held that Ezike’s lawyer must file and serve his application for ruling by the next date.
Osokogu, 25, was drugged, assaulted and murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel in Lake View Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
The primary suspects in her murder – Okwumo Nwabuifo (34) and Olisaeloka Ezike (25) were said to have picked her from the airport on her arrival from Abuja, after meeting on Facebook
