Four persons have been discharged by the Yaba Magistrate Court, Lagos, in the case of the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.
The court ordered that another suspect Ojukwu Onoh be made to face trial for being in possession of Ataga’s property.
Prime suspect, Ojukwu Chidinma and one Adedapo Quadri were arraigned on Monday, 6th September, 2021.
Cyril Ejiofor represented the prosecution, while O. Egwu with L. Okorie represented Chidinma and Babatunde Bisari stood for Quadri.
Ejieke Onuoha and A.S. Akpe held watching brief on behalf of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Head of Mike Ozekhome’s chambers, representing the Ataga family.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Olatunbosun, said that she had received the DPP’s advice and would implement it.
The DPP’s advice, dated 20th August, 2021 directed that the defendants be tried in the High Court as they both have a case to answer in the gruesome murder of Mr. Usifo Ataga.
The matter has been adjourned to the 29th September, 2021, for report of the filing of information at the High Court.
On the charge of conspiracy against Mr. Onoh Ojukwu, Mr. Babalola Disu, Ms Chioma Egbuchi, Mr Abayomi Olutayo, and Mr. Ifeoluwa Olowu for the same murder of the late Mr. Ataga, the DPP advised that Onoh Ojukwu should to face trial for being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be stolen from Ataga’s murder, while Chioma Egbuchi is to continue her trial at the High Court for conspiracy to murder.
The other defendants, namely, Disu, Olutayo, and Olowu were discharged from the case and their names struck out as advised by the DPP, because evidence adduced by prosecution was not sufficient to link them with the offence alleged against them.
