Cynthia was strangled to death, policeman tells court

A policeman attached to Area E Police Command, Festac Town Police Station, Mr Joseph Edo, has stated that Cynthia Osokogu, who was murdered at Cosmilla Hotel, Festac, in July 2012, was chained and strangled by her killers.

He added that two of the suspects accused of masterminding the crime traded allegations on who actually strangled Cynthia to death while being interrogated at the police station.

Edo, who is the Investigative Police Officer in charge of the matter, made the submissions, on Friday, while testifying before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos high court sitting in Ikeja.

Cynthia was allegedly drugged, raped and strangled by Okwumo Nwabufor and Olisaeloka Ezike, who are facing charges bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, murder and felony.

Being led in evidence by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, at the resumed hearing of the matter, on Friday, Edo told the court that Nwabufor, while being interrogated at the police station, confronted Ezike, saying that he should have confessed to the police that he (Ezike) chained and strangled Cynthia to death.

“Nwabufor confronted Ezike at the station, saying why did you bring the police to arrest me? Why didn’t you tell them you strangled the deceased to death?”

Edo stated further that Nwabufor revealed to him and his team members that Ezike, after killing Cynthia, placed her international passport on her chest and took her photograph with his BlackBerry phone.

According to him, the police recovered some property of the late Cynthia at the residence of Ezike.

The property, which included two international passports, a drivers’ licence, a vibrator, jewellery, a pair of shoes and two bags, were tendered by the prosecution and admitted as exhibits before the court.

Justice Akinlade adjourned the trial till July 5.