The family of Usifo Ataga, late Super TV CEO, has petitioned Usman Alkali, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to demand a re-investigation of the media entrepreneur’s murder.
In a 5685-word letter to the IGP’s office, the family decried the serial media rounds granted to Chidinma Ojukwu, the 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who initially confessed to stabbing the deceased multiple times in a Lagos hotel.
In the letter by Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the family also said the “unhindered media access” allowed Chidinma to recant her voluntary confession to “murdering Ataga”.
“[We demand] that your officers forthwith re-investigate the entire Usifo murder case more properly and more professionally, and hand over the findings of its investigations to the Lagos State DPP,” the petition read in part.
“…to properly and formally re-arraign Chidinma Ojukwu; and the other co-accused persons who had already been charged before a Chief Magistrate court and hurriedly granted bail.
“These are the persons of Babalola Disu; Ojukwu (Chidinma’s alleged father); Jessica Egbochi; Abayomi Olutayo; and, Ifeoluwa Olowu; and any other person(s) whom the police investigation may still throw up as having been linked to Usifo’s beastly and cold-blooded murder.
“[We demand] that your officers forthwith halt any further funny and phony parade of Chidinma, or allow her access to media interviews.
“These invariably lead to total trivialisation and mockery of a serious crime of brutal murder committed against Usifo, our client’s illustrious son, father, husband, breadwinner, and community leader per excellence.
“Such parades also have the unsalutary effect of negatively impacting on our societal values and the morals of Nigerians, especially the youth, who may erroneously, but unwittingly, behold Chidinma as a heroine.”
The Ataga family also raised multiple questions debunking Chidinma’s new claims which they termed “ever-changing”.
The family had earlier accused Hakeem Odumosu, the Lagos police commissioner, of trying to protect Ataga’s killers.
They cited the arraignment of Chidinma without their knowledge and alleged she was being given VIP treatment.
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