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Ataga’s Murder: Chidinma To Testify On Thursday In Trial-Within-Trial

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Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged murderer of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, will on Thursday testify before a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, in a trial within trial to ascertain whether she was coaxed, pressured or induced to make a statement that she killed Ataga by herself.

 

Chidinma, a 300-level Mass Communication undergraduate, of the University of Lagos, is standing trial over the alleged murder of Ataga.

 

She is also charged with stealing and forgery alongside one Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu.

 

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Deputy Director of Prosecution, Adenike Oluwafemi, told the court that the matter was for the continuation of a trial within trial and that her witness (Olufunke Madeyinlo) was in court.

 

The first defendant’s counsel, Onwuka Egwu, announced his appearance, while the second defendant’s counsel, Babatunde Busari, as well as the third defendant’s counsel,  F.O Ilesanmi, also announced their appearance.

 

Oluwafemi then called the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Madeyinlo, who was part of the team that arrested and interrogated the first defendant, to give her testimony in the trial within trial.

 

Madeyinlo said on June 24, 2021, the Officer-in-Charge of the Homicide Section, Panti, Yaba, Razak Oseni, brought Chidinma to her office to write a statement.

 

She said she gave Chidinma a statement form and a pen, thereafter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Adegoke Fayoade, sent for Oseni and he left the first defendant in her office.

 

The witness, who testified as the second prosecution witness in the trial within trial, said after about 40 minutes, Oseni came back to her office to collect the statement Chidinma had written.

 

Madeyinlo said, “Oseni collected the statement and went away with the first defendant, but nothing happened and nobody forced her to write the statement; she wrote the statement herself.”

 

During cross-examination by Chidinma’s lawyer, Egwu, the witness said she shared her office with three other officers, ASP Gbolahan Jemiyo, ASP Gbola Alabi, and Inspector Kolawole Lukman.

 

When asked if it was after Jemiyo had assaulted Ojukwu that her statement was taken, Madeyinlo said it was only herself and Alabi that were present when the defendant made her statement.

 

Asked if she interacted with Chidinma while she was writing her statement, Madeyinlo answered in the affirmative.

 

Egwu asked the witness if she gave a 10-year-old girl her wrapper to cover herself for the night between June 23 and 24, 2021, she said she could not remember as it had been long.

 

When confronted with the fact that the foster father of the first defendant, Onoh Ojukwu, was also in custody within the same period, Madeyinlo said, “I saw (Onoh) Ojukwu moving freely. Somebody that is in custody cannot be moving like that.”

 

Asked if she knew what happened to the statement Chidinma made on June 24, the witness answered that she did not know.

 

However, Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case till October 17, for the first defendant to testify in the trial within trial.

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JUST IN: Jigawa State Governor Loses 24-Yr-Old Son A Day After Mother’s Demise

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Tragically, just one day after the passing of his mother, Governor Namadi of Jigawa has now lost his 24-year-old son.

A statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Hamisu Gumel, confirmed that the governor’s son sadly lost his life in a road accident on Thursday.

“To Allah belongs that which He has taken, and to Him belongs that which He has given, and everything has an appointed time with Him.”

“With a heavy heart and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, His Excellency Mallam Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, announces the passing of yet another member of his family; his dear son Abdulwahab Umar Namadi.

“He departed this world this afternoon (Thursday, December 26th, 2024) as a result of a ghastly motor accident along Dutse-Kafin-Hausa Road. “The burial rite is taking place at this moment in Kafin Hausa town, in accordance with Islamic traditions.

“A 24-year-old, late Abdulwahab is survived by his parents and many siblings. “To Allah belongs that which He has taken, and to Him belongs that which He has given, and everything has an appointed time with Him.”

 

More to come…

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Sokoto Counters Military, Says 10 Civilians Accidentally Killed In Air Strike

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The Sokoto state government says no fewer than 10 civilians were killed when a military air strike targeted suspected terrorists in Gidan Bisa village, Silame LGA of the state.

Abubakar Bawa, press secretary to Ahmed Aliyu, governor of the state, wrote in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Bawa quoted Abubakar Rana, chairman of Silame LGA, as saying that the incident occurred around 6am on Christmas Day, when two military fighter jets “mistakenly” dropped bombs on the village.

Aliyu, who was accompanied by Aliyu Wamakko, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, and Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment, attended the funeral prayers for the victims.

Consoling the villagers, the governor described the incident as “unfortunate.”

“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminal armed groups terrorising the state and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community,” he said.

“We consider this a mistake because the same military had on several occasions successfully raided many criminal hideouts in the state.”

Aliyu prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased and strength for their families.

Muhammad Sifawa, secretary to the state government, announced a relief package of N20 million and 100 bags of assorted foodstuffs for the families of the deceased.

He also assured that the state government would cover the medical bills of the injured.

The military had denied reports of civilian casualties in the bombing.

Reports said air strikes conducted by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji, targeting the Lakurawa terrorist group, had inadvertently killed civilians in the Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities.

However, Abubakar Abdullahi, joint media coordinator for the operation, said the strikes targeted locations confirmed to be linked to the insurgents.

“All military operations are based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions to ensure precision and protect civilian lives,” Abdullahi said.

“The targets struck in the vicinity of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa were positively identified as associated with the Lakurawa group, reinforcing the justification for the military action.”

Olusola Akinboyewa, spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, told TheCable that the missiles were launched following credible intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.

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Adron Homes Celebrates Christmas With Customers, Reaffirms Commitment To Bridging Nigeria’s Housing Deficit

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As the world embraces the joy and warmth of the Christmas season, Adron Homes and Properties, Nigeria’s foremost real estate company, has extended heartfelt greetings to its esteemed customers while reaffirming its commitment to addressing the nation’s housing challenges.

In a message of gratitude and celebration, Adron Homes expressed deep appreciation to its customers for their trust and loyalty throughout 2024. The company highlighted its unwavering dedication to making incredible housing affordable for all Nigerians, in line with its mission of reducing the country’s housing deficit.

“Christmas is a time to celebrate family, unity, and gratitude,” the statement read. “As we reflect on the year, we are proud to have played a role in making homeownership a reality for thousands of Nigerians. Our vision is clear—to bridge the housing deficit by providing affordable, luxurious, and secure homes for all, regardless of income level.”

Adron Homes has continued to lead the real estate industry by implementing innovative solutions that make homeownership accessible, including flexible payment plans and cost-effective housing models tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

As part of its Christmas and end-of-the-year celebration, the company has launched a special festive promotions ‘Lemon Friday’ aimed at encouraging more Nigerians to join its growing community of homeowners.

“We remain committed to transforming dreams into reality. This is not just about building homes; it’s about building futures and creating opportunities for families to thrive in a space they can call their own,” the statement added.

Adron Homes extended warm wishes to all Nigerians and its global customers, urging them to embrace the season’s spirit of love and hope. “May your homes be filled with peace, joy, and prosperity this Christmas and beyond.”

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