Sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, the Lagos State High Court has directed Chidinma Ojukwu’s co-defendants to present their defense in the ongoing trial.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya issued the order on Thursday after rejecting the no-case submissions filed by the second and third defendants, Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu (Ojukwu’s sister).
The trial is connected to the 2021 murder of Usifo Ataga, the CEO of Super TV. Ms Ojukwu, the first defendant, is facing charges alongside Quadri and Egbuchu. Ojukwu and Quadri are charged with conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, while Egbuchu faces a charge of stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7.
Prosecutors allege that Ojukwu and Quadri conspired and killed Ataga on June 15, 2021, at No. 19 Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, stabbing him multiple times in the neck and chest.
During Thursday’s hearing, the second and third defendants argued through their lawyers, Babatunde Busari and M.I. Otuaka, that the prosecution failed to establish evidence warranting their defense and sought the dismissal of charges against them.
However, the prosecution led by Yusuf Sule opposed their submissions. Sule argued that substantial evidence was presented linking the second defendant to the charges and establishing the third defendant’s involvement in the theft of Ataga’s phone. He urged the court to reject their applications and order them to enter their defense.
After considering the arguments, Justice Adesanya dismissed the no-case submissions and ordered the defendants to proceed with their defense. The trial was adjourned to February 20, 2025, for continuation, with the second defendant set to open his defense.
