The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu for the murder of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, before a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square was on Thursday stalled due to change of the third defendant’s counsel.
Chidinma, alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri, is standing trial bothering on murder, theft and forgery.
At the resumed hearing of the trial yesterday, the court was informed that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) was no longer representing Chioma Egbuchu because she had written them that she no longer needed their services.
Chioma Egbuchu’s new counsel, Ngozi Akandu, who announced his appearance, informed the court that he was just briefed about the case Wednesday, May 11, and that he needed time to go through the case file.
He said, “I understand that trial has commenced, but I humbly apply and urge the court to give me time to study the case file, and also for the prosecution to avail me clearer copies of the proof of evidence so that I can come in properly.”
The prosecution counsel, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, in her response, said the rule to fair hearing was that litigants were free to get any counsel of their choice.
Meanwhile, the first defendant’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, said he was not objecting to the third defendant’s application.
And the second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, also did not object to the third defendant’s application.
He said, “In the interest of justice, we will concede to their request, but they should tidy their house before the next adjourned date.”
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, therefore, adjourned the case to May 16, 2022.
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