USIFO ATAGA: ABSENCE OF CHIDINMA’S LAWYER STALLS TRIAL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The murder trial against 21-year-old former Unilag undergraduate, Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the on-going murder case of Super TV boss, Micheal Usifo Ataga, was stalled on Tuesday, could not continue due to the absence of her lawyer.
Mrs. Oluwafemi Adenike, the DPP, announced before the court, that the matter was for Continuation of trial, adding that Mr. Okemezie, the first defendant’s counsel was indisposed and could not represent his client.
She also told the court that a prosecuting witness was present for the proceeding. The witness is a Police officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Bamidele.
She said, “The First defendant’s counsel said he has fallen ill since Friday and his Juniors has cases in other courts in other words, the 1st defendant does not have representation tody.
For the record, we would also like to announce that we have a our witness, DSP Bamidele in court.”
After listening to the counsel, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, adjourned the matter till June 8, 2023 as earlier scheduled for continuation of trial.
On the last adjourned date, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, of the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), had fixed May 30, 2023, for continuation after she admitted two statements in evidence.
She also mentioned that prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was not coaxed into writing her statement when she was arrested.
Chidinma is on trial for allegedly killing Ataga, along with her sister Chioma Egbuchu and another person named Adedapo Quadri, she is also accused if stealing and forging documents.
The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge preferred against them by Lagos State Government.
Ojukwu and Quadri, are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing while the third defendant, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
Ojukwu and Quadri are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him several times with a knife in the neck and chest.
The alleged murder took place at No 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
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