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)

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