Ataga’s murder: Defence counsel’s ill-health stalls Chidinma’s trial

The ill-health of a defence counsel has stalled the trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the undergraduate charged with the murder of Usifo Ataga, the CEO of Super TV.

Chidinma is facing trial alongside Chioma Egbuchu, her sister, and one Adedapo Quadri before a Lagos high court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square.

They are charged with nine counts bordering on murder, stealing, and forgery.

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

Egbuchu is facing the ninth count of stealing of iPhone 7 belonging to Ataga.

According to NAN, the trial was stalled on May 12 due to a change of counsel by Egbuchu.

Ngozi Akandu, Egbuchu’s new counsel, had on May 12 asked that more legible documents be served to him.

He also requested time to study them.

On Thursday, Onwuka Egwu, counsel to Chidinma, read to the court a letter written by Akandu, notifying the court that he was ill and asking for an adjournment.

In her response, Adenike Oluwafemi, the prosecution counsel and Lagos state deputy director of public prosecutions, said: “Anybody can fall sick at any time. Therefore, I do not oppose the application.”

Counsel to Chidinma (first defendant) and Quadri (second) aligned with the prosecution counsel’s submission.

Consequently, Yetunde Adesanya, the judge, adjourned the case until July 7 for the continuation of trial.

The three defendants had been arraigned on October 12, 2021.

They are being prosecuted by the Lagos state government.

Chidinma and Quadri are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021. The UNILAG student was said to have stabbed him several times in the neck and chest with a knife.

The alleged murder took place at no. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos state.

The duo was also accused of committing forgery by procuring and making bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.