ATAGA'S DEATH: COURT FIXES FEBRUARY 28 FOR ADOPTION OF WRITTEN ADDRESSES IN TRIAL-WITHIN-TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the alleged murder of Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, was stalled on Monday, as prosecution filed for an extension of time so as to respond to her written address.

The prosecution team informed the court that they had filed their written addresses on the “trial-within-a-trial and also served it when the matter was called before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) annex.

The defendant, an undergraduate student of the University of Lagos, is standing trial for the alleged murder of Ataga alongside Adedapo Quadri and her sister Chioma Egbuchu. She is also charged with stealing and forgery. The court had on January 11 adjourned till February 13, 2023 for adoption of written addresses in a trial-within-trial it conducted to ascertain if the statement of the defendant at a police station was made voluntarily.

The prosecuting team led by A.O Oluwafemi, told the court that “Prosecution has filed its written address on the trial-within-trial on the 6th of February and we served on 7th of February. We pray the court to file for an extension of time.”

The Defense Counsels, didn’t object to the submission for extension of time by the prosecution.

The matter was adjourned by the Justice Yetunde Adesanya, until February 28, 2023 for adoption of written address.

The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge preferred by Lagos State Government.