Ataga’s murder case: Again absence of Chidinma’s counsel stalls trial
08 July 2022 |
2:37 am
The scheduled trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, charged with the murder of Usifo Ataga, Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, was stalled for the fourth time due to the absence of her lawyer.
[FILES] Chidinma Ojukwu, a suspect in the murder of late Usifo Ataga.
The scheduled trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, charged with the murder of Usifo Ataga, Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, was stalled for the fourth time due to the absence of her lawyer.
Ojukwu, who claimed to be a 300-level Mass Communication undergraduate, of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was standing trial with her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri at a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), over alleged murder of Autauga.
They were arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on murder, stealing and forgery.
Counsel to Ojukwu, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, had written to inform the court of his absence and applied for the vacation of yesterday’s trial as he was stuck in Anambra State due to a flight delay.
When the matter was called yesterday, counsel to the second and third defendants told the court that they were not aware why counsel to the first defendant was not in court.
In her submission, the prosecuting counsel and Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, expressed displeasure over the absence of Chidinma’s counsel as their witness was present in court. She expressed disappointment that the council was not in court and couldn’t even call.
Also, a new counsel, for the third defendant (Egbuchu), Mr C. J. Jiakpona, told the court that he was new in the matter and would need all the necessary documents to aid him to defend his client.
The prosecution responded that the former counsel to the third defendant, Mr. Ngozi Akandu, had been given all the necessary documents.
She urged the new council to collect all the documents from Akandu to avoid delay.
After listening to their submissions, the trial Justice Yetunde Adesanya warned that moving forward, such scenarios will no longer be tolerated, as counsel will not be allowed to use excuses to delay the process.
She subsequently adjourned to October 4, 2022, for the continuation of the trial.
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