Furore over ‘pampering’ of Super TV boss, Ataga’s alleged murderer, Chidinma by prison officials
There was wide condemnation of the decision of operatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, on Monday, to provide a special transportation from court for Chidinma Ojukwu, prime suspect in the murder of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.
It was observed that a prison official put Chidinma, without handcuffs, in the front seat of a blue Toyota Camry and whisked her away from the Yaba Magistrates’ Court minutes after her remand by Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo.
The car, with Lagos plate number EPE 671 BD, had tinted black glasses.
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The suspect looked straight ahead as the car, with front windows wound down, sped out of the courthouse parking lot.
They left behind a green prison bus, which was used to convey other prisoners.
Prisons PRO Rotimi Oladokun could not immediately respond to enquiries on the matter as at press time.
Recall that Chief Magistrate Adedayo had, on Monday, remanded Chidinma and her co-Defendant, Adedapo Quadri, for 30 days following an application by the police counsel Cyril Ejiofor.
The Defendants were accused to have conspired to kill Ataga and stole his laptop, phones and cash valued at N3.8 million.
They allegedly committed the offences on June 16, at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The court adjourned till September 6, for review of remand and Directorate of Public Prosecution’s Advice (DPP)’s advice.
In a separate proceeding, the police also arraigned Chidinma’s father, Mr. Onoh Ojukwu, and four others, on charges including obstruction of justice and receiving of stolen property.
Chidinma, a 21-year-old Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, was arrested by the police on June 23, 2021.
She was said to have been in a romantic relationship with 50-year-old Ataga for about four months before the incident.
Following her parade by the police on June 24, the undergraduate said she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice.
On June 29, she pleaded for forgiveness saying she was not ready to die.
She attributed her action to influence of hard drugs and smoking.
But things took a dramatic turn on July 13, 2021 when Chidinma recanted.
In an interview she granted the police media team which was aired by Crime Fighter TV, a police sponsored programme, Chidinma claimed she walked into the room from an errand only to find Ataga stabbed, blood everywhere and the apartment in shambles.
In the eight minutes and eight seconds video, she claimed her earlier admission of stabbing Ataga to death was made under pressure and fear that people would not believe her.
She said someone probably entered the apartment when she left to get the things they needed, killed Ataga, scattered the place and left before her arrival.
