Cynthia: Judge to punish lawyer for ‘trial delay’

 

                             Cynthia

COUNSEL to the four men being tried for the alleged murder of Cynthia Osokogu yesterday drew the court’s wrath for failing to file his written address within stipulated time.

Justice Olabisi Akindele of the Lagos High Court in Igbosere threatened to award “substantial costs” against Emeka Eze, if he did not file the address by June 17.

Eze and Chris Obiaka for Orji Osita and Nonso Ezike failed to file their addresses within the court’s stipulated time.

Okumo Nwabufo, 34; Ezike, 24; Osita, 34, and Nonso Ezike, 26, are being tried for Osokogu’s alleged murder at Cosmilla Hotel in Festac Town, Lagos on July 22, 2012.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Eze told the court that he suddenly took ill and so could not complete the written address and file same before the stipulated time.

Obiaka, who filed and served the prosecution yesterday before the court proceedings began, said the delay was caused by his bereavement.

Justice Akinlade was not impressed with their reasons; she said the public was interested in the outcome of the case.

The public, she said, would think the delays were the court’s fault, stating: “At the last adjourned date I gave you 14 days to file your written addresses and gave the prosecution three weeks to respond to all the addresses. The first and second defendants, who have been in prison since 2012, are still presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

She adjourned till October 27 for adoption of the address.