Cynthia Osokogwu murder trial suffered another adjournment on Wednesday an Igbosere High Court, Lagos, due to the alleged illness of Ezike Olisa-Chidera, one of the defendants.
Olisa-Chidera, 25, who walked with a noticeable limp, and was supposed to give evidence before Justice Olabisi Akinlade, could not go into the witness box due to alleged severe stomach pains.
Mr Michael Ajayi, Counsel to Olisa-Chidera, told the court that his client was too ill to testify.
“A member of the prosecution team, Mrs Bola Akinsetan, called me yesterday to enquire about my client’s health and to know if we were ready to proceed today.
“My Lord, I enquired about Olisa-Chidera’s health status and I found out that nothing has changed.’’
Akinlade, who was unhappy about this development, asked one of the prison wardens of the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Mr I.M. Jimoh, if he knew about Chidera’s illness.
“I am not aware of the status of the second defendant (Olisa-Chidera),’’ Jimoh told the court.
The judge, who granted an adjournment, said that Olisa-Chidera should get treatment before the next date.
“I will grant you this last indulgence. Even, if it means you sitting down to give evidence, you must give evidence.
“All these pain, pain, pain that you have been complaining about since the last trial date will no longer be indulged by the court.
“I am going to adjourn for ill-health, counsel should ensure he attends court on the next adjourned date.
“The case is hereby adjourned to April 15, April 28 and May 5 for continuation of trial,’’ Akinlade said.
Olisa-Chidera is standing trial alongside: Okwumo Nwabufor, 35; Orji Osita, 34; and Ezike Ifechukwu, 26.
They have been accused of the July 22, 2012 alleged murder of their Facebook friend, Cynthia Osokogwu, 24, a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos.
According to agency reports, on Feb. 11, Olisa-Chidera could not take the witness stand due to his alleged ill-health and the court granted a week adjournment to enable him seek medical attention.
