Thursday, July 16, 2026

Ataga Murder: Witness absence stalls Chidinma’s trial

The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, accused of the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Ataga, has again stalled due to the absence of a prosecution witness.

• December 12, 2023
Usifo-Ataga-Chidinma-Ojukwu
Usifo Ataga and Chidinma Ojukwu

The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, accused of the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Ataga, on Tuesday, was again stalled due to the absence of a prosecution witness.

The case could not go on due to the ill health of the ninth prosecution witness, DSP Olusegun Bamidele, who was to continue with his evidence.

Ms Ojukwu is standing trial at the Lagos High Court on a nine-count charge bordering on murder, theft and forgery alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and Adedapo Quadri.

On the last adjourned date, December 7, the proceeding was also stalled due to the reported ill health of DSP Bamidele.

When the case was called on Tuesday, Babatunde Busari, counsel to Quadri, told the court that the prosecution counsel, Yusuf Sule, informed him that the witness had not fully recovered.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable the witness to be present in court to conclude by giving his evidence.

After listening to the counsel, Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case until January 24, 2024, for continuation of trial.

Ms Ojukwu and the two others were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos government.

Ms Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing. Ms Ojukwu’s sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Scene of the incident

Africa

Eleven children killed, 19 injured in Algeria orphanage fire

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the tragedy as a huge loss. 

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State

Heading 2

Kano empowers 1,900 butchers, to establish cottage industry hubs

He said the government had already made provision for the establishment of the hubs in the 2026 budget. 

IG Olatunji Disu

Heading 3

2027 Elections: Police commence recovery of illegal arms nationwide

Mr Kokumo said the centre had destroyed more than 16,000 unserviceable weapons since its inception.

FRSC personnel on highway

Heading 5

Court restrains FRSC from operating on Kano township roads

Mr Hikima sued the commission for unnecessarily stopping, searching and questioning him and other motorists. 

President Donald Trump

Heading 5

White House teleprompter operator rakes in over $100,000 betting on Trump’s speeches: Report

Investigators discovered Mr Perez placed bets on more than a dozen of Mr Trump’s speeches over a three-month period. 

Hot news Home top

Kidnapped Kogi school principal, NECO official, students regain freedom

Gunmen, on Tuesday, abducted a principal, NECO official and students during exam in Kogi school.