Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State Excessive Courtroom sitting on the Tafawa Balewa Sq., on Thursday, ordered Chidimma Ojukwu’s co-defendants to open their defence.
Ojukwu, charged with the homicide of the Tremendous TV Chief Government Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, alongside Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu, are standing trial for Ataga’s homicide.
She and Quadri are dealing with the primary to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, homicide, and stabbing whereas her sister, Egbuchu, is dealing with the ninth depend of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
The 2 had been alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him a number of instances with a knife within the neck and chest.
The incident occurred at No. 19 Adewale Oshin Road, Lekki Section 1, Lagos.
On the resumed listening to of the trial on Thursday, the second and third defendants who had earlier filed a no-case submission, difficult the trial, requested the court docket to dismiss all costs in opposition to them.
The second defendant’s counsel, Babatunde Busari, and the third defendant’s counsel, M.I Otuaka, argued that the prosecution had failed to determine any materials proof for his or her purchasers to enter defence within the case.
In his response to the appliance, the state’s prosecution, Yusuf Sule, objected to the submission and urged the court docket to dismiss the second defendant’s no-case submission software.
He stated, “The prosecution has put ahead materials proof linking the second defendant to the costs in opposition to him. We name upon him to enter his protection.”
“In response to the third defendant’s software, the prosecution filed a response on November 27, 2024, as per argument in response to this case. We urge the court docket to dismiss the appliance for a no-case submission because the prosecution has established materials proof of a stolen cellphone within the case.
“We, nonetheless, name upon the third defendant to enter her defence.”
Upon listening to the arguments of the counsel, Justice Yetunde Adesanya dismissed the no-case submission of the second and third defendants.
She ordered them to open their defence.
Consequently, the decide adjourned the case until February 20, 2025, for continuation of trial.