Legal Nigeria

Ataga’s murder trial: Prosecution ordered to produce clearer statement

By Emmanuel Shedrach

Chidinma Ojukwu

A Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), yesterday ordered the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to provide clearer statements and audible copies of interviews to all the defence counsel in the trial of Chdinma Ojukwu over the alleged murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super Television, Mr Usifo Ataga.
   
The order followed an application made by the defence over illegible statements served on them on the resumed trial of  Chidinma on Tuesday.

Defence counsel had complained that the statements contained in the proof of evidence served on them were all illegible and that the audio interviews of the defendants were also inaudible.

They stated that the defendants had a right to clearer statements and audible video interviews as it would enable them to prepare their defence adequately.

Trial judge, Yetunde Adesanya, in her ruling,  ordered the DPP to provide clearer statements and audible copies of the interviews to all the defence counsel before the end of the day.
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Adesanya adjourned further hearing on the matter to November 11, 15, 16, 17, 26 and 30 for trial.

Earlier, Mrs A.O. Adeyemi had entered an appearance for the prosecution from the DPP, while Mr. Onwuka Egbu, Mr. Babatunde Busari and M. A.O. Ogunsanya appeared for the first to third defendants respectively.

Adeyemi told the court that she had two witnesses in court and was ready to begin the trial, but Egwu informed the court that he had a pending application before the court that was ripe for hearing.