Ataga: Chidinma’s trial stalled

A High Court sitting in Lagos State has postponed the trial of key suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, in the murder of the Chief Executive Officer, Super TV, Usifo Ataga due to failure of the prosecution to reply to the written address of the defence. Justice Yetunde Adesanya had on November 17, 2022, fixed January 11, 2023, […]

A High Court sitting in Lagos State has postponed the trial of key suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, in the murder of the Chief Executive Officer, Super TV, Usifo Ataga due to failure of the prosecution to reply to the written address of the defence.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya had on November 17, 2022, fixed January 11, 2023, for the adoption of written addresses of the prosecution and the defence in the trial within trial to ascertain if the statements made by the defendant were not done under duress.

Justice Adesanya fixed the date after the defendant testified that she was slapped and forced to sign statements written by policemen in the state.

Chidinma, who testified in her trial-within-trial as defence witness one, stated that policemen including Assistant Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Bamidele and Olufunke Madeyinlo, told her to sign statements against her will.

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At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the Lagos State prosecuting counsel, Tolulope Onilado informed the court that they had just received service of the address from the defendant last week and so the matter could not go on.

Onilado said, “The first defendant’s address was served on us during the festive period. The address, which was dated December 23, 2022, was served on the Attorney General’s office on December 30 and we only received service last week, but we have not replied.”

Chidinma is standing trial over the alleged murder of Ataga. She is also charged with stealing and forgery alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri.