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Update : Ataga alleged murder: Illegible statements stall Chidinma’s trial
Illegible statements served on the defence counsels on Tuesday stalled the trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, at a Lagos High court in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).
Defence counsels complained that the statements contained in the proof of evidence served on them were all illegible and that the audio interviews of the defendants were also inaudible.
They stated that the defendants had a right to clearer statements and audible video interviews as it would enable them prepare their defence adequately.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, in her ruling, directed the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to provide clearer statements and audible copies of the interviews to all the defence counsels before the end of the day.
Adesanya further adjourned the matter to Nov. 11, 15, 16, 17, 26 and 30 for trial.
Earlier, Mrs A.O. Adeyemi, had entered appearance for the prosecution from the DPP, while Mr Onwuka Egbu, Mr Babatunde Busari and Mr A.O. Ogunsanya had appeared for the first to third defendants respectively.
Adeyemi told the court that she had two witnesses in court and was ready to begin trial, but Egwu informed the court that he had a pending application before the court that was ripe for hearing.
He said that in his application, he was praying for more legible statements, as the ones contained in the proof of evidence the prosecution served him were illegible.
Counsel to the second defendant, Busari, aligned with the submission of the first defence counsel and further complained that the video recordings of the interviews were not served on him.
On his part, counsel to the third defendant, Ogunsanya, from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), told the court that the video interviews of the defendants that were served on him were not audible.
He aligned with previous submissions that the statements he was served were also not clear.
The defence counsels submitted that they needed all these documents to enable them prepare for the trial adequately.
Adeyemi told the court that she would send soft copies of all the proof of evidence to each defence counsels’ email before the end of the day.
Newsthumb recalls that the three defendants were arraigned on Oct. 12, on a nine-count charge preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.
They had allegedly murdered the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Micheal Usifo Ataga.
The first two defendants, Chidinma Ojukwu and Adedapo Quadri, are facing the first eight counts on the charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing.
The third defendant, who is the first defendant’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count charge of stealing iPhone 7, phone, belonging to the late Ataga.
In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him severally with a knife on his neck and chest.
The incident took place at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The duo were also accused of committing forgery by procuring and making bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.
They were also alleged to have forged United Bank account statement of one Mary from June 1, 2021, 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 belonging to the late Usifo Ataga from which the sum of N380,000 was subsequently withdrawn.
It was also alleged that on June 22, Chidinma’s sister, Chioma, was found in possession of a stolen iPhone 7, property of the late Usifo Ataga.
…Military eliminates over 15,000 terrorists in 3 years
…130,000 Boko Haram fighters and dependents surrender
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) has announced that President Bola Tinubu has finalised a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to end Nigeria’s 17-year battle against insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
The development was contained in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by the spokesperson for the APC PCC, Dele Alake.
The campaign council stated that the new framework is designed to overhaul the nation’s security architecture by aligning defence priorities, capability development, and expenditure with current and emerging threats.
According to Alake, the administration’s military operations over the past three years have yielded significant results, including the neutralisation of over 15,000 Boko Haram terrorists and bandits, alongside the surrender of more than 130,000 insurgents and their dependents through the government’s rehabilitation programme, Operation Safe Corridor.
“President Bola Tinubu is determined to end the 17-year scourge of insecurity ravaging parts of Nigeria through a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Defence Operations Plan designed to strengthen the country’s security architecture, improve military effectiveness, and ensure a coordinated response to emerging threats,” Alake stated.
He explained that the initiative shifts the security apparatus toward a “more coordinated, intelligence-led, technology-enabled, and prevention-oriented system,” combining sustained kinetic military offensives with non-kinetic interventions.
Detailing the structural reforms undertaken to boost troop availability and rapid response, the APC PCC spokesperson said President Tinubu has created four new Nigerian Army divisions and restructured existing military formations to decentralise operations.
To accelerate recruitment, the President also approved establishing two new Army depots in Osogbo, Osun State, and Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State. Each facility can train 6,000 recruits simultaneously, adding a combined training capacity of 12,000 soldiers.
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Alake noted that the Osogbo depot is already operational, with 5,210 recruits currently undergoing training.
The statement also said the President has authorised a major recruitment drive across the security forces, approving the enlistment of an additional 28,000 soldiers into the Army and 50,000 new officers into the Nigeria Police Force to bolster internal security, improve policing capacity, and strengthen the country’s response to criminal activities.
On personnel welfare, Alake highlighted ongoing investments in military accommodation and operational infrastructure, citing the construction of a 700-unit military barracks in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
“These measures reflect the administration’s determination to address manpower and infrastructure gaps, improve the capacity of security agencies, and ensure personnel are adequately trained, equipped, and deployed to areas facing security challenges,” the statement read.
On defence spending and combat readiness, Alake said the Five-Year Strategic Defence Operations Plan ensures clearly identified threats and national priorities guide security sector investments.
He added that the strategic framework is designed to close critical capability gaps, optimise available military resources, and eliminate unnecessary expenditure and waste across the defence sector.
I have followed recent reports of violence accompanying political events in different parts of the country.
Every form of violence stands condemned. Violence should never have a place in our political campaigns as we move toward the 2027 general elections.
Our campaigns should be about issues, a contestation of ideas that promote the welfare of our people and the progress of our country.
As the leader of this country, I commit myself to a peaceful, free, and fair election, and I urge political leaders and supporters across party lines to conduct themselves responsibly.
I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies.
As Nigerians, we are members of the same household living in different rooms. Therefore, our politics must elevate human conditions and focus on national progress and development.
I want to reiterate my previous directive to the security agencies: be strict and firm against anyone who seeks to test our resolve and will to preserve public order.
Our administration is committed to an orderly and peaceful election, and all political parties and candidates should be protected and free to campaign anywhere in the country without molestation or fear for their safety.
We shall not tolerate any irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters.
Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force.
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The Central Planning Committee for the official unveiling of the book, The Courage to Reform: Architecture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Beyond 2027 — Statecraft, Vision for National Renewal, has announced Tuesday, December 1, 2026, as the new date for the highly anticipated ceremony.
The unveiling, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, was earlier postponed following adjustments to the official schedule of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion.
HON. IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development
Chairperson, Central Planning Committee
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