MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Frank Oshanugor
The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu; a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos who allegedly killed Mr. Michael Usifo Ataga, Super TV Chief Executive Officer; earlier this year, has been adjourned till November 25.
The trial judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya fixed the date after second prosecution witness, Abubakar Mohammed, concluded his testimony before the court.
The other two defendants; Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.
were arraigned alongside Ojukwu on October, 12 on a nine-count charge bordering on murder of Ataga by Lagos State Government
Ojukwu and Quadri are facing first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing while the third defendant, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
The first and second defendants were alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him severally with a knife on the neck and chest.
The alleged murder took place at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Abubakar Mohammed,
a security guard at the service apartment where Ataga was allegedly murdered, maintained his earlier testimony that the defendant (Chidinma Ojukwu) had left a night before victim’s body was found.
He stated this while being cross examined before the Lagos High Court, at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
The witness was cross examined by the first and second defendants’ counsel.
During his cross examination by the first defendant counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, the witness maintained that the defendant (Chidinma) had left the the apartment on Tuesday night and did not return to the premises even after the body was found.
Mohammed said that when the defendant was leaving, he was at his duty post, the defendant waived at him and entered an Uber.
The witness also denied that he mentioned to the police that he suspected one Mr Babalola Disu, who also logged at the apartment at the time the incident happened.
Mohammed also told the court that he did not get the full view of the victim (Ataga) when he came into the premises because the victim was inside his vehicle.
He also said the victim did not come out of his apartment from the time he entered.
The witness said it was only the defendant who used to come out or call him on phone when she needed any help.
Mohammed was also cross examined by the second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari.
Busari asked the witness to confirm if a dispatch rider actually came to the house and how many times the dispatch rider came.
The witness maintained that a dispatch rider came once to the house, adding that the dispatch rider gave the first defendant a small parcel which he did not know the content.
The witness was, however, re-examined by the prosecution counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule.
The witness maintained that the defendant was the person who came and logged at the apartment.