Ataga: Police officer’s ‘transport challenge’ stalls Chidinma’s trial

The Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) could not proceed with the trial of Miss Chidinma Ojukwu – prime suspect in the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super Tv, Usifo Michael Ataga – following the absence of a witness.

The court heard that one of the prosecution’s star witnesses, Olusegun Bamidele – a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) – could not secure transportation to court.

Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is standing trial for the alleged offence alongside her sister and third defendant Chioma Egbuchu, and second defendant Adedapo Quadri.

The trio is also charged with stealing and forgery.

They have been on trial since October 12, 2021 following their arraignment before Justice Adesanya.

According to the Lagos State Government which is prosecuting them, the alleged murder took place on June 15, 2021 at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The defendants denied the charge.

At the resumed hearing, of the case yesterday, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DDPP) Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi told the court that Mr. Bamidele, the ninth prosecution witness, sent a text message, informing her that he had been under the rain all morning, drenched and was unable to find transportation to the court.

She apologised for the witness’ absence.

Counsel for the defendants, Mr Onwuka Egwu, Mr Babatunde Busari and Miss M. A. Abia-Bassey, said the prosecution had earlier informed them of the development.

They did not object to her application for the matter to be adjourned.

Justice Adesanya upheld her prayer and adjourned proceedings till October 27.

Proceedings were also stalled at the last adjourned date on October 20, because the first defendant’s counsel sent a message that he lost a relative and was already at Anambra State as of the time the case was called.

The third defendant Quadri was also not produced in court.

He called his lawyer Babatunde Busari to inform him that there was a directive from the Correctional Facility that they should not be brought to court over security concerns, due to the second anniversary of the ‘#EndSARS’ anti-police brutality protests.

Ojukwu was arraigned alongside two others Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu on October 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge over the alleged murder of Ataga.

Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing.

The third defendant, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of receiving a stolen iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

Ojukwu and Quadri were alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him several times with a knife in the neck and chest.