SAN FRANCISCO, March 23, (THEWILL) – A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, on Thursday, sentenced Okwumo Nwabufo and Olisaeloka Ezike to death for the murder of a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, Cynthia Osokogu.
The deceased was murdered by the convicts on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, having been tricked to visit Lagos for business connections which turned out to be false.
Justice Olabisi Akinlade declared that after carefully analysing the evidence presented before the court, testimonies of prosecution witnesses and confessional statements the convicts made to the police, she was left with no doubt that the convicts killed Ms. Osokogu and found Nwabufo and Ezike guilty as charged by the state and dished out the death sentence by hanging.
The judge held that the evidence brought by the state in proof of the six counts of conspiracy, murder and stealing against the accused persons were cogent, complete, unequivocal and compelling.
“In judgement, justice is required not only for the victim, but also for the society. In their attempt to steal Cynthia’s property, they stole her life,” she ruled.
“But for the efforts of the police and the Ministry of Justice, we wouldn’t have been able to do anything. They didn’t even feel remorseful and even came to the court to tell lies. This court cannot change the law.
“I pronounce the sentence of this court upon you, Okwumo Echezona Nwabufo and Olisaeloka Ezike, that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead and may God have mercy on your souls.”
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