News

UPDATED: I’m not guilty of Super TV CEO murder – Chidinma

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2021

The Lagos State Government has arraigned Chidinma Ojukwu and two others over the alleged murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.

Chidinma – a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos – and one Quadri Adedapo were arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.

They were docked on a nine-count charge alongside Ojukwu’s sister, Egbuchu Chioma from whom the late Ataga’s iPhone 7, was said to have been recovered.

The charge dated August 31, was filed by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi.

Ojukwu, 21, and Adedapo – first and second defendants – were named in counts one to seven. Ojukwu was the sole defendant on count eight, while Chioma was named in count nine.

In count one, Chidinma and Adedapo were charged with conspiring to murder Ataga contrary to Section 233 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos 2015.

In count two, Chidinma and Adedapo were charged with Ataga’s murder, an offence said to have been committed by stabbing him several times on the neck and chest with a knife.

In counts 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, Chidinma and Adedapo were charged with conspiracy to commit forgery, forgery and making documents without authority.

They were specifically alleged to have procured false bank account statements of Ataga.

They also allegedly forged an international passport and a driver’s license In Chidinma’s name.

In count eight, Chidinma was charged alone with 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Apple MacBook Laptop and ATM cards belonging to the late Usifo Ataga from which the sum of N380,000 was subsequently withdrawn.

In count nine, Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu was charged with being in possession of the stolen property, the iPhone 7 belonging to the late Usifo Ataga.

Ojukwu, 21, was alleged to have murdered Ataga, in a Service apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 411, 233, 365 (2)b, 280, 329, of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Ojukwu, Adedapo and Chioma pleaded not guilty.

There was a mild drama when the court registrar read count one of ‘conspiracy to murder’ to the defendants.

After Ojukwu pleaded not guilty, the registrar turned to Adedapo.

Registrar: “Are you guilty or not guilty?”

Adedapo: “Guilty!”

Realising his error, the second defendant subsequently changed his plea to “Not guilty.”

Mr O. Egwu appeared for Ojukwu, Mr Babatunde Busari, announced appearance for Adedapo, while Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Dr Babajide Martins appeared for Chioma.

Justice Adesanya remanded Ojukwu and Quadri in prison custody.

Following an unopposed application by Martins, the judge allowed Chioma to continue on the bail granted her at the Magistrate Court.

She adjourned till November, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 25, 29 and 30 for trial.

Ojukwu, 21, is alleged to have murdered Ataga, in a Service apartment in Lekki area of Lagos State.

According to the charge, Usifo was found dead with multiple stab wounds on June 16 at a short-let apartment on Adebowale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase I where he had checked in with his lover, Ojukwu.

Miss Ojukwu was consequently arrested on June 23 in her father’s house in Yaba and paraded at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja.

The 50-year-old deceased was buried on July 30 in a low-key ceremony attended by his family members, including his wife, and friends.

News

IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has withdrawn all police officers attached to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.

This is contained in a police wireless message obtained on Friday.

The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello on its watchlist after he evaded arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80 billion financial crime.

The notice to this effect comes a few hours after the EFCC declared the former Governor wanted.

Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as Kogi Governor.

News

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

Published

11 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on Information & Strategy

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

The internet users has bombarded the twitter page (X) of the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga over his comment on former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who resisted arrest by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall EFCC declared the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted for alleged misappropriation of funds while in office. The development has been attracting mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

On Thursday, the EFCC had declared Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of about 80 billion naira.

Sharing a photo of the former governor online, the anti-graft agency said that anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should contact them.

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

News

Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list

The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, if found at any entry/exit point of the country.

The NIS said on Thursday night that Yahaya Bellowas placed on its watchlist after evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of N80 billion fraud.

This notice came a few hours after the EFCC had declared the former governor wanted.

The NIS, in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency as well as other formations declared that Bello had been placed on its watch list.

The letter was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.

Part of the letter read, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024, if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”