Ataga: Change of counsel stalls Chidinma’s murder trial

Trial of an undergraduate, Chidinma Ojukwu, for the murder of  Mr Usifo Ataga, Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, was on Thursday stalled due to a change of counsel. Ojukwu is standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square. She is charged with murder, stealing and forgery alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri. On Thursday, a lawyer  from the Office of the Public Defender, Mrs J. I. Osagede, appeared for the third defendant, Egbuchu. Osagede, who stood in for her colleague, Egbuchu’s former counsel, Mr A. O. Ogunsanya, informed the court that the third defendant wrote to the office about her desire to change counsel. Thereafter, Mr Ngozi Akandu, announced  appearance as the new counsel for the third defendant. Akandu, told the court that he was briefed on Wednesday (May 11), adding that court documents given to him were not clear. He said that he would need clear copies and more time to study the documents. In her response, prosecution counsel, Mrs Adenike  Oluwafemi, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “The rule of fair hearing is that litigants are free to get any counsel of their choice.” Ojukwu’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, did not object to the change of counsel. Also, the second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, did not object. He said, “In the interest of justice, we will concede to their request but they should tidy their house before the next adjourned date.” Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case until May 16 for continuation of trial. On the last adjourned date, the ninth prosecution witness, DSP Olusegun Bamidele, testified how Ojukwu ( first defendant) was arrested. Bamidele said that the Intelligence and Tactical Unit of the State Criminal Investigating Department (SCID) Yaba, tracked Ojukwu down at No. 57, Akinwunmi St., Alagomeji, Yaba. The three defendants were arraigned on Oct. 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge brought against them by Lagos State Government. 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 – stealing of iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga. Ojukwu and Quadri are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him several times with a knife on the neck and chest. The alleged murder took place at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The duo was also accused of committing forgery by procuring and making bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.