Usifo Ataga: Court admits two statements made by Chidinma as evidence

CHANNELS TV

A Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has admitted in evidence, two handwritten statements made by Chidinma Ojukwu – the key suspect in the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV – Usifo Ataga.

While ruling on a trial within trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Chidinma made the statements willingly and without duress.

Through her counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, the defendant had alleged that her statements were not voluntarily made, claiming she was slapped and forced to sign the statements after it was written by the police officers whom she insisted tore her initial statements.

Chidinma is standing trial for the alleged murder of Ataga. She is also charged with stealing and forgery alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.

Chidinma and Quadri are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him several times with a knife in the neck and chest.

In her ruling on the statements, Justice Adesanya, said that it was settled law that before a statement would be admissible, the defendant must be advised of his or her rights.

She said that the defendant must be made to understand the rights and must be cautioned before his or her statements would be taken.

The judge said the defendant had alleged that she was physically abused…