Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court has admitted in evidence the two extra-judicial statements made by Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged killer of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga. The statements were admitted after the judge ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the voluntariness of the defendant’s statements.
Chidinma Ojukwu was arraigned alongside Adedapo Quadri on an eight-count charge bordering on murder, forgery, and stealing. Additionally, Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu, was arraigned for receiving stolen property. The accused all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
During the trial-within-trial application filed by the defendant, Chidinma had alleged that her statements were not voluntarily made, claiming that she was slapped and forced to sign the statements by the police. However, Justice Adesanya held that the prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was not coerced into writing her statements.
In her ruling, the judge stated that it was settled law that before a statement would be admissible, the defendant must be advised of their rights, cautioned, and made to understand their rights. She further noted that the videos tendered in court did not display any intimidation towards the defendant while she was writing her statements.
After the ruling, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, prayed for adjournment, stating that the police officer who was still giving evidence before the trial within a trial was not present in court.
Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until May 30 for continuation of trial.
Justice Adesanya’s ruling has now admitted the two extra-judicial statements made by Chidinma as evidence in the trial of Usifo Ataga’s murder case. The case has been adjourned until May 30 for continuation of the trial.
