Usifo Ataga Murder: Court Orders Chidimma Ojukwu’s Co-Defendants To Open Defence
On Thursday, the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, instructed the co-defendants of Chidimma Ojukwu to open their defence in the ongoing trial related to the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga. The decision was made by trial judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, who dismissed the no-case submission filed by the second and third defendants, Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu, respectively.
The court has adjourned the case until February 20, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
Chidimma Ojukwu, the first defendant, is accused of the murder of Michael Usifo Ataga. She is charged alongside Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu. Ojukwu and Quadri face multiple charges, including conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, while Egbuchu is charged with stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the deceased.
Ojukwu and Quadri are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, by stabbing him multiple times in the neck and chest.
At Thursday’s trial hearing, the second and third defendants, who had previously filed a no-case submission, argued that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to warrant their defence. They requested the court dismiss all charges against them. Represented by their lawyers, Babatunde Busari (for the second defendant) and M.I. Otuaka (for the third defendant), they contended that the prosecution had failed to provide material evidence.
In response, the state’s prosecution counsel, Yusuf Sule, objected to the no-case submission, arguing that there was enough evidence linking the second defendant to the charges and evidence of a stolen phone against the third defendant. He urged the court to dismiss their applications and order them to open their defence.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Yetunde Adesanya dismissed the no-case submissions and ordered the second and third defendants to proceed with their defence. The case will resume on February 20, 2025, when the second defendant is expected to begin presenting his defence.
