Michael Ataga’s Murder: Lagos Arraigns Chidinma, 2 Others
The Lagos State’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) today, arraigned Chidinma Ojukwu and Adedapo Quadri, who are the two key murder suspects of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Micheal Usifo Ataga, before a Tafawa Balewa Square’s High Court of Lagos State.
The two defendants were arraigned in an eight count-charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.
Also arraigned alongside the two murder suspects, was Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu, who is facing the nineth count charge of stealing iPhone 7, belonging to late Ataga.
Arraigning the defendants, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), told the count that the defendants on June 15, 2021, at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, conspired amongst themselves and allegedly murdered the deceased.
Mrs. Adeyemi told the court that the first and second defendants (Chidinma and Adedapo), allegedly murderer Ataga, the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, by stabbing him severally on his neck and chest with a knife.
The DPP also told the court that the duo also allegedly conspired to commit forgery, by fraudulenty procuring the deceased’s ATM cards and bank statements, which they claimed was purported made by the deceased. She added that the defendants also forged FUnited Bank account statement of one Mary, from June 1, 2021.
Furthermore, the DPP accused Chidinma and Adedapo of allegedly forging an international passport and a driver’s license In Chidinma’s name.
In count eight, Chidinma was accused of stealing two iPhones, an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 11, one Apple MacBook Laptop and ATM cards belonging to the late Usifo Ataga, which were subsequently used to withdraw to the sum of N380,000 from the deceased’s accounts.
The Prosecution also said that on June 22, 2021, Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu was found in possession of a stolen iPhone 7, property, of the late Usifo Ataga.
According to the prosecution the offences committed is punishable under Sections 411, 233, 365 (2) b, 280, 329, of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2015.
There was a mildrama when the second defendant, Adedapo pleaded guilty to the first count charge but he was was quickly corrected by two counsel to plead not guilty to the charge.
However, the 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, who was arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, alongside Quadri and Egbuchi, pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.
Earlier, Mr O. Egwu, announced his appearance for the first defendant, while Mr Babatunde Busari, announced his appearance for the second defendant and the Director Office of the Public Defender, Dr Babajide Martins appeared for the third defendant.
Ojukwu, 21, was alleged to have murdered Ataga, in a Service apartment in Lekki area of Lagos State.
Usifo was found dead with multiple stab wounds on June 16 at a short-let apartment on Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase I where he had checked in with his lover, Ojukwu.
The defendant was consequently arrested on June 23 in her father’s house in Yaba and paraded at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja.
The 50-year-old deceased Ataga, was buried on July 30 in a low-key ceremony attended by his family members, including his wife, and friends.
Consequently, Justice Adesanya, remanded the first and second defendants in prison custody and allowed the third defendant to continue on the bail granted her at the Magistrate court.
Further hearing of the matter has been adjourned till November, 9 and 11.
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