Usifo Ataga: Absence Of Defendant’s counsel Stalls Trial
Kemisola Oye
THE murder trial against 21-year-old former University of Lagos (Unilag) undergraduate, Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder case of Super TV boss, Micheal Usifo Ataga, could not continue on Tuesday due to the absence of her lawyer.
Mrs Oluwafemi, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had told the court that the matter was for the 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 although a prosecution witness was present in court for the proceeding. The witness is a Police officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Bamidele.
She said, “The first defendant’s counsel said he had fallen ill since Friday and his juniors have cases in other courts. In other words, the 1st defendant does not have representation today.
For the record, we would also like to announce that we have our witness, DSP Bamidele, in court.”
After listening to the counsel, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, adjourned the matter till 8 June 2023, as earlier scheduled, for the continuation of trial.
On the last adjourned date, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, of the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), had fixed 30 May 2023, for the continuation of trial after she admitted two statements in evidence.
She also held that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was not coerced 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 of stealing and forging documents.
The defendants were arraigned on 12 October 2021, on a nine-count charge preferred against them by Lagos State Government.
Chidinma 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.
Chidinma and Quadri are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on 15 June 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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