Weep not for Cynthia but her killers - family

• Hotel where she was killed illegal, says NTDC chief Runsewe •NMA seeks speedy justice 

Friends, family members and neighbors of the late Cynthia Osokogu last night gathered at the St Morumba Catholic Church, Jos. They were there for a grim but necessary rite, which will culminate in her remains being interred in Delta State on Friday. 

The service of songs was a somber affair, with many battling tears.  Men and women in black attires stated filing into the church around 6pm.

The service was officiated by the parish priest of St Murumba, Jos , Revd. Father Philip Dung. He was assisted by Revd. Father Peter Ucun, the principal, St Murumba College, Jos.

In his sermon, the parish priest, Rev Father Dung, said:  said: “Cynthia is more of a family of the church than the Osokogu family because she worshipped here in this church. However, we joined friends and well wishers in this condolence, which is a painful one.

“Cynthia did not die for nothing because she died a Christian. She never allowed her educational career and her business to deprive her from worshipping her creator.

“But we need to say this loud and clear to whoever cares to listen, the death of Cynthia is another sad report card of our nation that fails to protect its citizens. The case of Cynthia may be one out of many.

“It is time for government to shift attention to the kind of havoc caused by ICT. We focused too much attention on fighting Boko Haram and other forms of terrorism. It is time to focus on cyber made terrorism because it has claimed lives of many Nigerians silently.

“The case of Cynthia should be used to salvage other potential victims of cyber crime because it is obvious that there are so many Nigerians who have gone through more terrible experiences than that of the late Cynthia.” 

Giving testimony on behalf of the family, Mr.  Ralph Monye said: “The family is currently going through trauma as a result of the sudden death of their only daughter.  I want the church to pray for them over their present condition so that they will be able to overcome this trauma. If you are in the shoes of the family, you will not even want to wish your greatest enemy this kind of trauma.

“But as friends and relations, I will tell you not to weep for Cynthia; you rather weep for his killers because they have committed crime that cannot be compounded. In law, it means it cannot be settled amicably with the killers. I wonder how God almighty will forgive them, but I wish God forgives them.”

Ene, a  friend of  the deceased while speaking for her friends, said the death of Cynthia has marked the end of their 15-year-old friendship. She urged the church and well wishers to pray to God to console the parents of late Cynthia because “it is like one of the eyes of the family has been removed”. 

The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has said Cosmilla Hotel,  Lake View Estate near Festac Town, where the late Cynthia Osokogu was murdered, is operating illegally. 

Runsewe said the NTDC would sue the owners of the hotel for operating without being registered by the NTDC. He said a query had been issued to the hotel. Runsewe, in a statement in Abuja, said the management of the hotel has admitted operating illegally.

The late Cynthia Osokogu was killed at Cosmilla Hotel, Lagos by her social media ‘friends’ after they drugged and dispossessed her of her belongings.

The Director-General insisted that the law would be followed to the letter in dealing with the hotel. 

He said: “We will allow them to do their job after which we will go to court.”

He commended the security agencies, especially the Police and the SSS for a job well done on the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.

The NTDC is empowered by law to register, classify and grade hotels and other hospitality outfits.

The National President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele, yesterday said it was important that government enforce strict prescription rights on drugs before being sold out.

He called for the speedy dispensation of justice in the murder of the late Cynthia. Enabulele, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, condoled with the Osokogus.  

Source: The Nation