A Lagos high Court on Thursday fixed March 23, 2017, for judgment in the trial of the suspected killers of Cynthia Osokogu.
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The trial judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, fixed the date after the prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses.
Miss Osokogu was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012 at a hotel in Festac Town, Lagos, by her Facebook lover.
The defendants are Okwumo Nwabufo, Olisaeloka Ezike, Orji Osita, and Ezike Nonso.
The defendants are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stealing, recklessness, negligence and possession of stolen goods.
Speaking for the defence team, Mr. Victor Okpara said the trial was fair and they expected their clients to be discharged and acquitted.
At the resumed hearing today, Justice Akinlade frowned at the delay of the second defendant counsel, Mr. Nwachukwu in filing his final written address, pointing out that the court will not entertain delay tactics from counsels to forestall justice.
The murder trial began on the eighth of February 2013 with the state calling the hotel receptionist as the first witness.
It will be recalled that Justice Akinlade on several occasions expressed displeasure over the delay and threatened to award a substantial cost to the second defendant over failure to file.
The court had accused the defence counsel of intentionally delaying the case, which she said, is of interest to the public.
She said that people always think that it is the court that is delaying the matter, not knowing that it is the defendants’ counsel.
The offences committed are punishable under sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
