The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, charged with the murder of Super TV chief executive officer, Usifo Ataga, was on Tuesday stalled due to the absence of her counsel, Onwuka Egwu.

The student of the University of Lagos is standing trial on a nine-count charge bordering on murder, forgery, and stealing.

The Lagos State government is prosecuting her alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State, Adenike Oluwafemi, told the court she got a message from Mr Ojukwu’s counsel that he was ill.

She said the counsel also mentioned that others in the defence team could not appear in the case on Tuesday due to engagements.

Ms Oluwafemi told the court that a prosecution witness, who was to give evidence, was present in court.

The second and third defendants’ counsel, Babatunde Busari and P. O. Okpagbo were present in court but did not raise any objections.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case until June 8 to continue the trial.

At the last adjourned date, the court ruled on the admissibility of Ms Ojukwu’s confessional statements to the police.

Ms Adesanya admitted Ms Ojukwu’s statements in evidence.

She held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the statements were voluntarily made.

(NAN)