November 29, (THEWILL) – The scheduled trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the main suspect in the murder of Super TV chief executive officer, Usifo Ataga, was adjourned on Monday.
The case, which is being heard before a Lagos High Court, sitting at Tafa Balewa Square, TBS, was adjourned after the witness to be called was deemed unready to testify.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Yusuf Sule, told Justice Yetunde Adesanya the witness just arrived the court from Asaba.
Sule said, ”We would be asking for an adjournment for tomorrow, on the grounds that the witness we are calling just came in from Asaba this morning and he is not really composed.”
The first defendant’s counsel, Onwuka Egwu, did not object to the application of the prosecution.
The second defendant’s counsel Babatunde Busari, said though he is not opposing the application, the prosecution have other witnesses they can call.
On his part, the third dedendant’s counsel, O.A. Ogunsanya, told the court that they would oblige the prosecution’s adjournment in the interest of justice.
Consequently, Justice Adesanya, at the instance of the prosecution, granted the oral application for adjournment and adjourned the case till November 30 for continuation of trial.
Chidinma Ojukwu and two other defendants were arraigned on October 12 on a nine-count charge preferred against them by the 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 of stealing iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
The first and second defendants were alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him severally with a knife on the neck and chest. The alleged murder took place at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Chidinma and Quadri were also accused of committing forgery by procuring and making bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.
