Ataga’s Murder: Absence of Defense Counsel Stalls Chidinma Trial
The trial of a former UNILAG undergraduate, Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the ongoing murder case of Super TV boss, Micheal Usifo Ataga, was stalled today, owing to the absence of the defendant’s counsel.
At the resumption of the trial today, Counsel to the Prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Oluwafemi Adenike, informed the court that the first defendant’s counsel, Mr. Okemezie, was indisposed and could not represent his client.
She also told the court that a prosecuting team has a witness in court, a Police officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Bamidele.
After listening to the counsel, the presiding judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, adjourned the matter till June 8, 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 May 30, 2023, for continuation after she admitted two statements in evidence.
She also mentioned that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was not coaxed 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 October 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge preferred against them by Lagos State Government.
