Cynthia Osokogu’s Murder: Suspects Allege Police Torture

A witness, Okwunmo Nwabufo, 34, Wednesday told
a Lagos High Court, Igbosere that he was tortured
to make statements during investigation on the
murder of Miss Cynthia Osokogu.
Nwabufo who is also the first defendant in the case,
revealed in court while testifying at the trial within
trial of four persons charged with the murder of
Osokogu.
The accused, Nwabufo; Olisaeloka Ezike, 24; Osita
Orji, 33, and Nonso Ezike, 25, were charged to court
by the Lagos State government.
They allegedly chained and strangled 25-year-old
Osokogu at Cosmilla Hotel in FESTAC Town, Lagos
on July 22, 2012.

Nwabufo, while being led-in-evidence by his
counsel, Mr Victor Okpara, told the court at the last
hearing that he made statements under torture.
At the resumed hearing, Okpara told the court that
the case was adjourned for a trial-within-trial to
determine how statements were obtained during
investigation.
Nwabufo, after being placed on oath, told the court
how he was tortured by the policemen that came
to arrest him.
He said: “On the day I was arrested, up to 20
policemen broke into my apartment and asked for
my name after which they called me a murderer
and started beating me.
“I was later blindfolded while I was wearing only
pant and taken into their vehicle; then we drove to
the police station.”
“When we got to the police station, l was taken to
the Area Commander, Mr Dan Okoro, who showed
me a lady’s picture and asked if I knew her.
“I said yes, she is my friend and he immediately
called me a murderer and pinched the upper part of
my left eye with pliers.”
“I was then taken to a room where I was chained
and tortured to accept whatever they (the police)
told us concerning the murder.”
Nwabufo explained that it was during the torture
that the police brought out a suspect and shot him
in the leg to show that they would shoot us if we
don’t comply.
“One of the policemen released tear gas into my
left eye and I have not been able to see with it
since then.”
He told the court that it was the torture that led to
the statement which was being dictated to him at
different times.
Counsel to the second defendant, Mr Michael Ajayi
also called out a witness, to give evidence on how
statements were obtained from them.
Okpara the counsel to the first defendant, then told
the court that he had three other witnesses for the
trial-within-trial.
On his part, Ezike told the court that he was also
tortured and that statements were dictated to him.
He said that he also witnessed how a suspect was
shot and that he had no choice than to succumb to
the request of the police to accept the murder of
Osokogu.
The two counsel, however, closed their defence in
the trial-within-trial and asked the court for an
adjournment.
Justice Olabisi Akinlade, after listening to the
counsel, adjourned the case till Jan. 13, and Feb. 27
for continuation of the trial. [Vanguard]