ATAGA: POLICE WITNESS' ABSENCE STALLS CHIDINMA'S TRIAL-WITHIN-TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O. Farouk Oduola

The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged murder suspect of SuperTV boss, Usifo Micheal Ataga, before a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), was adjourned on Thursday due to the absence of the Prosecuting witness who is a police officer.

This development has however, delayed the 300-level Unilag undergraduate as her trial-within-trial could not proceed without the witness’ testimony.

According to Mrs Oluwafemi, the Deputy Director of Public prosecution, the latest adjournment was based on the call she received from ASP Funke Madeyinlo, the second witness in the on-going trial of Chidinma, who informed her that she would not be in court as she was not back from out of Jurisdiction duty.

She said, “The second witness, ASP Funke Madeyinlo, called that she was not back from out of Jurisdiction duty.”

Meanwhile, the second defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Babatunde Busari, prayed the court to grant his client, Adedapo Quadri, bail as the matter is been delayed with series of adjournment which one of the consequences, is that it has delayed the second defendant’s seeking Justice to the allegations of the prosecution against him.

He said, ” I have been earlier notified about this development (absence of Police witness), however, the series of adjournment has delayed this matter severely. And one of the consequences is that it has delayed the second defendant’s seeking justice to the allegation of the prosecution against him.

“I do not oppose to the previous adjournment. This morning, I will be making a very passionate appeal that justice is not a one-way traffic while, I will not oppose the request for adjournment by the DPP this morning. I will be making an application that the second defendant be granted bail.”

Justice Yetunde Adesanya, however rejected Mr. Busari’s request stating that his request could only be granted on special and exceptional circumstances that could warrant the second defendant’s bail.

Recall that on the previously adjourned date, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Bamidele, testified before the court that Chidinma had a romantic relationship with her foster father, Mr. Onoh Ojukwu adding that intelligence gave the police the hint that Mr. Ojukwu was not sincere and that he was aware of the offense that Chidinma is standing trial for, even if he had promised to help in the investigation.

He also mentioned that during investigation, it was established that the first defendant’s mother did not approve of her been in custody of Mr. Ojukwu.

Chidima was arraigned alongside two others, Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu on 12th of October, 2022 over the death of Mr. Usifo Ataga.

The Lagos State Government charged them Chidinma and Quadri with a eight-count accusation that includes Conspiracy, Murder, stabbing, Forgery, Stealing, making of bank statements.

They were alleged to have conspired and killed Ataga on 15th of June, 2021 by stabbing him severally with a Knife in the neck and chest at a shortlet apartment at 19, Adewale Oshin, Street, Lekki Phase 1, in Lagos.

The third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, is facing the nine count charge of receiving and being in possession of a stolen iPhone that belonged to the deceased.

Justice Adesanya, however, adjourned the matter to 15th, 17th and 23rd of November, 2022 for continuation of trial.