METRONLC, TUC Strike Disrupts Chidinma's Trial in Alleged Super TV Boss Murder
Chidinma's trial for the alleged murder of Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga, faced a delay as the NLC and TUC strike prevented her appearance in court. The strike prompted the correctional facility officials to withhold the defendants for security reasons. Concerns were raised about the trial's duration, leading to an adjournment to December 5 and December 7, 2023.
Faith Orji 
The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, and the alleged murderer of Usifo Ataga, CEO of Super TV, faced a setback on Tuesday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) strike brought proceedings to a halt.
Ojukwu, along with her sister Chioma Egbuchu and Adedapo Quadri, had been arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government on nine counts of murder, theft, and forgery at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square.
During Tuesday's trial, Egbuchu was present, but Ojukwu and Quadri were not brought to court from the correctional facility due to the ongoing strike. Justice Yetunde Adesanya explained that correctional facility officials cited security concerns during the strike, leading to the decision to postpone the proceedings.
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“Due to the NLC strike, I suggest that tomorrow’s date be vacated and a fresh clear date is given,” noted Onwuka Egwu, the counsel for the first defendant.
Babatunde Busari, counsel for the second defendant, expressed concerns about the prolonged trial, stating, “Despite the effort given to this case by this court, the trial is still taking too long. I also suggest that a clear date be given to ensure that substantive justice is done to this matter.”
Busari further requested information from the prosecution counsel, Adenike Oluwafemi, regarding the number of prosecution witnesses yet to give evidence. Oluwafemi informed the court that, aside from the ninth prosecution witness, DSP Olusegun Bamidele, who was still under cross-examination, "there are two more witnesses."
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Justice Adesanya consequently vacated Wednesday’s date to prevent further disruption due to the NLC strike and adjourned the case until December 5 and December 7, 2023, for the continuation of the trial.
The ninth prosecution witness, DSP Bamidele, had previously testified in June about examining Ataga's body at the mortuary. He described observing injuries on the body and neck, marks on the left ribs, and an open injury indicating stabbing at the lower center of the head during the cross-examination by the first defendant's counsel, Egwu.
