The prime suspect in the murder of Cynthia Osokogu, Okwumo Nwbufo, on Wednesday told a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, that the police forced him to admit that he killed the Army General’s daughter.
Nwabufo 34, who is standing trial with Olisaeloka Ezike(24), Orji Osita (33) and Ezike Nonso (25), said he was tortured to make statements that is being used against him.
The defendants were charged to court by the state government, after they were alleged to have chained, drugged and strangled the deceased at Cosmilla Hotel, FESTAC Town, Lagos, on July 22, 2012.
Led in evidence by his counsel, Victor Okpara, Nwabufo, who had at the last hearing, told the court that his confessional statements were made under duress, narrated how the police forced him.
At Wednesday’s trial within trial to determine how statements were obtained during investigation, Nwabufo said the police who came to arrest him called him a murderer and beat him up.
“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 putting on only pant and taken into their vehicle then we drove to the police station,” he said.
According to Nwabufo, he asked the police to allow him contact his lawyer or relatives which they refused.
“When we got to the police station, I was taken to the Area Commander, Dan Okoro’s office 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 while he pinched the upper part of my left eye with a plier.
“I was then taken to a room where I was chained and tortured to accept whatever they (the police) told us concerning the murder,” said Nwabufo.
The defendant explained that it was during this torture that the police brought out a suspect and shot him on the leg to show that they would shoot us if we do not comply.
“One of the policemen released tear-gas into my left eye and have not being able to see with it since then,” he said.
He also claimed that it was the torture that led to the statement which was being dictated to him at different times.
Read more: The Nation
Why have u chosen to tell such a big lie Echezona,it means ure nt even repentant.teargas can't cause glaucoma which is why ure blind in one eye.maybe the police needs to visit ur medical case notes before this murder so they can shut ur lying mouth or have an ophthalmologist evaluate ur eyes.surep they can tell an old advanced glaucoma case from ur claimed resent trauma.may God have mercy on u.