A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos state has on Monday ordered that Chidinma Ojukwu be charged with murder of Chief Executive Officer of Super Television, Usifo Ataga and face the trial at Lagos High Court.
Ojukwu, a 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was arrested by the police on June 23 for killing Usifo at a short-let apartment in Lekki.
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The court also ordered that one Adedapo Quadri and Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu, found in possession of Ataga’s iPhone 7, should face trial for possessing stolen items.
Police prosecutor, Cyril Ajifor, announced the latest development on Monday when the defendants were brought before the magistrate court in Yaba.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Adeola Adedayo, gave the order following legal advice from state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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The suspect and Quadri were presented before the Chief Magistrate at Yaba on August 9 by the police to seek their remand in custody, which was granted by the magistrate.
The magistrate had ordered the duo be remanded for 30 days at the first instance to allow the police continue with its investigation of the murder case and also advice from DPP.
Re-appearing before the magistrate on Monday, Ajifor told the court that DPP had issued a legal advice on the case, recommending their trial for murder. This, he said, implies that they would be arraigned at the high court which has jurisdiction over such matters.
DPP advice stated that a prima facie case of conspiracy to murder, murder, and conspiracy to commit forgery was established against the suspects.
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The advice partly reads;
After careful consideration of facts available in the case, this office is of the firm view that a prima facie case of conspiring to murder, murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit; forgery, forgery and making documents without authority contrary to sections 233, 222, 411, 363 and 370 respectively of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, exists against Ojukwu Chindinma Adaora and Adedapo Quadri.
Facts available also establish the offence of having possession of thing reasonably suspected to have been stolen contrary to section 329 of criminal Law of Lagos 2015.
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Meanwhile, the four of five persons that the police arraigned before the magistrate for obstructing justice in the matter have been discharged.
The magistrate discharged Chidinma’s father, Onoh Ojukwu, 57, as well as one Babalola Disu, 42, one Abayomi Olutayo, 23, and one Ifeoluwa Olowu, 23, based on the DPP’s advice.
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The DPP advised that all the defendants, except Egbuchu, be discharged by the magistrate.
The magistrate adjourned the matter till September 29 for mention, and to await further information from DPP as to the status of the case at the high court.
