A police witness has revealed to the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) annex in Igbosere, that the Nigeria Police Force investigating the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super Tv, Usifo Michael Ataga, discovered that the first defendant, Chidinma Ojukwu was having an amorous relationship with her foster father, Onoh Ojukwu.
DSP Olusegun Bamidele revealed this on Tuesday during the trial within trial ordered by the judge, Yetunde Adesanya, to determine whether it should admit as evidence the confessional statement allegedly made by Miss Ojukwu, while in police custody.
The police officer told the court that Mr Ojukwu had been arrested along with his ward on June 24, 2021, along with a ten year old girl. He added that Mr Ojukwu and the minor were released the next day (June 25), and that he was rearrested on July 29, and detained till August 19, 2021.
When questioned by the first defendant’s counsel, Onwuka Egwu, on why the Police detained Mr Ojukwu for that long, the police officer said it was Mr Ojukwu that offered to assist the police with its investigation and that he wasn’t detained but was given access to move around the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.
“He said he was embarrassed by the actions of the first defendant, and offered to assist with the investigation. While with us, he was even receiving visitors and seeing them off. He was not detained, someone in detention cannot have that access.”
According to the witness, they later discovered that Mr Ojukwu wasn’t sincere with the Police.
“During his detention, we stumbled on information that there was an amorous relationship between the first defendant and her foster father (Mr Ojukwu). We found out that he wasn’t being sincere with us and that he knows she (allegedly) committed the offence which she is standing trial for and that she was concealing vital information. We also established that Chidinma’s mother never approved the custody of Chidinma to Mr Ojukwu. It was on this basis that the police authorities felt it cannot wish away the intelligence it received and decided that he should be charged at the
Magistrate Court along with one Babalola, the second defendant and the third defendant.”
Also in response to questioning by State Counsel, Tolu Onilado, DSP Olusegun denied allegations by the first defendant’s counsel that her confessional statement was gotten under duress.
“On June 23, 2022, after her arrest, we took her to the DCP’s office for an initial questioning. Then, we took her to our hall which is big and fully air conditioned. It is a conducive place. I sat close to Chidinma, she was so comfortable. ACP Razak Oseni was with me, along with my other colleagues. Before the questioning, she asked for water to drink and we gave her. She also said she hadn’t eaten, so we bought food for her from an eatery. Then, we started the interaction so as to get relevant information that will help our investigation. After she had disclosed enough information, I told her she needs to write a statement. Cautionary words were applied and she confirmed she understands them perfectly. She initially started writing her statement, but I noticed her writing wasn’t legible, so I suggested that she writes in capital letters. But, she said I should write it for her. I reminded her that she is an undergraduate of Mass Communication at UNILAG. But she insisted I write it for her, which I did.
He added that a police inspector who is a lawyer from their legal department, Austin Nwabueze, also met with the first defendant, urging her to be“free to speak her mind and say all that she knows about the case”.
“In totality, there was no intimidation; there was no inducement or harassment. The most senior person that was with us was ACP Rasak Oseni, who wouldn’t allow anything like that.”
Further hearing is fixed for Thursday, November 10, 2022.
Justice Adesanya ordered the Trial-within-Trial at the last sitting late October, following the first defendant’s contention that she gave the police her statement under duress.
The 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos is standing trial for the alleged murder alongside a second defendant Adedapo Quadri, and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu.
They are also charged with stealing and forgery, but they denied all the allegations.
The defendants have been on trial since October 12, 2021, following their arraignment.
According to the Lagos State Government which is prosecuting them, the murder took place on June 15, 2021, at a short-let apartment on No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
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