Super TV boss: Chidinma’s father, 4 others face trial

 

The father of Chidinma, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga, Mr Onoh Ojukwu and four others were on Monday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged obstruction of justice and failing to report a crime to the law enforcement agencies.

Ojukwu, 57, and Babalola Disu, 42, are to face trial on charges of obstructing the police from performing their duties and failing to report a crime to the police, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The three other defendants, Jessica Egbochi, 28; Abayomi Olutayo, 23; and Ifeoluwa Olowu, 23, are to face trial for dishonestly receiving stolen items.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Mr Cyril Ejiofor, from the State Criminal Investigative and Intelligence Department, Panti, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on June 18 and 23, at Computer village, Ikeja, and Alagomeji, Yaba.

He alleged that Ojukwu had refused the police from arresting his daughter, Chidinma, when the law caught up with her.

Ejiofor added that the second defendant, Disu, had also failed to report the death of Ataga to the police.

“The other three defendants were also alleged to have dishonestly received a MacBook valued at N2.5 million and an iPhone 7 worth N150,000 belonging to the deceased,” he said.

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Ejiofor said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 117, 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adedayo, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties each in like sum, who must make a deposit of N20,000 into the coffers of the Chief registrar.

She, however, adjourned the case until September 6 for mention.

Magistrate orders Chidinma remanded for 30 days

Meanwhile, Chief Magistrate Adedayo ordered the remand of Chidinma, the prime suspect in the murder of Ataga, for 30 days following an application of the police counsel, Cyril Ejiofor.

The police had on Monday brought Chidinma and one Adedapo Quadri before the court and Ejiofor urged the court to remand them pending the issuance of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions report on the matter.

He said, “The remand is to enable the DPP to come up with legal advice. We pray for the remand of the defendants for the first 30 days in the first instance.”

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Chidinma’s counsel, who was the Director of the Office of the Public Defender, Babajide Martins, told the court that the prosecution failed to provide the defence with the remand application but did not oppose the remand application.

He said, “I have just been privileged to get a copy of the remand application. I have not been able to go through it, my learned friend’s application is inevitable, I would have been happier if I was obliged of the application earlier. The application will not be opposed, in principle.”

Quadri had no legal representation.

Ruling on the application of the police counsel, Magistrate Adedayo said, “In the absence of any opposition, the two defendants are hereby remanded for 30 days in the first instance. The case is adjourned till September 5, for review of remand/DPP’s advice.”