Finally, after four months of controversy and foot dragging the Lagos State Government on Tuesday arraigned Chidinma Ojukwu, Adedapo Quadri, and Chioma Egbuchu, before the state Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square over the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Micheal Usifo Ataga.
Usifo was murdered on June 15, 2021 atshort service rental apartments located at No 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos where he was lodged with his girl friend Chidinma Ojukwu and she Ojukwu, 21, was alleged to have murdered him.
The defendants are facing an eight count charge for alleged conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing .
However, the first defendant’s sister, Chioma, is facing the ninth count charge of stealing an iPhone 7, belonging to the late Ataga.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, told the court that the defendants conspired amongst themselves and allegedly murdered the deceased on June 15, 2021.
She said that the incident took place at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The DPP said that Ojukwu and the second defendant, allegedly killed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, by stabbing him severally with a knife on his neck and chest.
Adeyemi said that the duo also allegedly conspired to commit forgery by procuring and making Access and UBA bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.
The duo were also alleged to have forged the First United Bank account statement of one Mary, from June 1, 2021.
The Prosecutor further accused Ojukwu and Quadri, of forging an international passport and a driver’s license In Chidinma’s name.
In count eight, Chidinma was accused of stealing two iPhones, an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 11, one Apple MacBook Laptop and ATM cards of Access and GT Banks belonging to the late Usifo Ataga from which the sum of N380,000 was withdrawn by her from the decease account.
The Prosecution also said that on June 22, 2021 Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu was found in possession of a stolen iPhone 7, a property of the late Usifo Ataga.
According to the prosecution the offences committed are punishable under Sections 411, 233, 365 (2) b, 280, 329, of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2015.
However, the 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, who was arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, alongside Quadri and Egbuchi, pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.
Mr O. Egwu, announced his appearance for the first defendant, while Mr Babatunde Busari, announced his appearance for the second defendant and the Director Office of the Public Defender, Dr Babajide Martins appeared for the third defendant.