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Super TV CEO: 21-Year-Old Suspect’s Father Arrested, Lecturers, Classmates Shocked, UNILAG Silent

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Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the father of 21-year-old Chidinma Ojukwu, who allegedly stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death.

A top police source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, told PUNCH Metro that the suspect and her father were arrested at their residence, No. 57 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, on Wednesday.

The source said the father was arrested for resisting Chidinma’s arrest and for becoming violent with policemen, who went to apprehend her.

The source added that the man did not believe that his daughter committed any crime until she confessed on Thursday, adding that he was being detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba.

“She (Chidinma) stays with her dad. Her dad and mom don’t live together. Her father was arrested on Wednesday because he resisted his daughter’s arrest. He never believed that his daughter committed any crime until Thursday. He is at Panti as we speak, but he was not paraded today (Thursday),” the source stated.

Chidinma, who claimed to be a 300-level student in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, confessed to stabbing Ataga to death while being paraded at the state police command headquarters, Ikeja,.

A lecturer in the department, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity said, “I know her (Chidinma) because of her beauty and innocent look. She is an introvert to the core.

“Left for her striking beauty, she is not likely to be noticed by anyone, because she doesn’t talk in class.”

Another lecturer also confirmed that Chidinma is a 300-level student in the department.

“Yes, in our group chats, where there are several professors, it was confirmed that she is a 300-level part-time student of Mass Communication, UNILAG,” the lecturer said.

One of the classmates, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Yes, she (Chidinma) is a 300-level part-time student of Mass Communication. I know her, but we are not on talking terms; she doesn’t interact with many people. She is a recluse.

“She is a cool girl, who comes for lectures and leave afterward; she has few friends, who she talks to. I don’t really know much about her.”

Another student said he had not seen her in the current semester, adding that their lectures could not hold on Thursday as the lecturers did not turn up.

“I have not seen her this semester since we resumed on May 10. We were supposed to have lectures today, but the lecturers did not come. Likewise, her issue has been a major topic on our WhatsApp platform; it was a chaotic debate as members took sides,” he said.

The students said they usually receive lectures between 5 pm and 8.30 pm on weekdays.

The spokesperson for UNILAG, Nonye Oguama, refused to confirm if Chidinma was indeed a student of the institution.

When contacted by PUNCH Metro after the parade, Oguama said she would not respond and slammed the media for publishing Chidinma’s claim of being a student of the institution.

“You did not contact me before. You are just doing so now after you had published it on your website. We have no comments,” she angrily responded.

When challenged with the fact that the parade was a live broadcast, the UNILAG spokesperson remained adamant, insisting that the name of the institution should not have been mentioned.

During her parade, Chidinma confessed to withdrawing N380,000 from the deceased’s account to pay her school fees.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had earlier said the 21-year-old undergraduate was tracked for 48 hours and was arrested at her parent’s residence in the Yaba area of the state on Wednesday.

He stated that casual workers cleaning the building, where the incident took place, discovered Ataga’s remains in the service apartment.

Odumosu said, “The victim, one Usifo Michael Ataga, happened to operate a media house. The lady, Chidinma Ojukwu, 21, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, checked into the service apartment in Lekki with the man on a Sunday.

“They were there together as friends, but on Tuesday, she departed and left the man inside. So, when the man did not come out on Tuesday and Wednesday, those who were evacuating the trash bins went in to do their normal duty and discovered that the door to the apartment was half-opened.

“When they entered, Ataga was found on the floor in a pool of blood. He wore only his pair of boxers. So, we started our investigation and we were able to track the prime suspect and got her arrested. She has confessed to the crime.

“She said the drugs and alcohol that both of them took got them high and they were trying to have fun, but she resisted and the man insisted on having his way and that led to the fracas. She reached out for the kitchen knife and stabbed the man twice in the neck and once in the stomach. After he died, she took his belongings and fled.”

Chidinma told PUNCH Metro that Ataga became violent after she turned down his request for more sex, adding that she stabbed him under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

She said, “I checked for the place we lodged in online on Sunday and sent the details to him and he paid. On Monday, we were together drinking and smoking, we had fun and so I went to get food. On Tuesday, he was trying to make advances at me, but I was tired and he became violent and forced his way and I gave in.

“In the afternoon, we smoked and ate. We became high and I wasn’t happy with the first round of sex; so, I was on my own smoking, drinking, and eating my food when he came to me, while I was watching a movie.

“I told him I was not happy with what he did the first time. I told him he was not assisting me with anything but was playing around with me. He told me to take his ATM card and withdraw any amount I wanted and gave me the PIN, but I told him that was not what I meant.

“So, he became violent; I was defending myself and at some point, he hit my head on the wall and I retaliated. He was choking me and I was on the kitchen cabinet, so I stretched out and grabbed a knife and stabbed him twice in the neck and once in the stomach.”

When Ataga became weak, Chidinma said she fled the apartment and withdrew money from his account for her school fees.

She said, “We smoked SK and Loud. While he was lying there, I changed my cloth, looked for the key from where he kept it and left the room. When I left, I didn’t reach out to anybody. I didn’t feel good about what I did.

“I withdrew N380,000 and not N5m from his account. I feel a lot of remorse. I wanted to use the money I withdrew to pay my school fees. I felt disappointed when the police arrested me at my parents’ house and it was when I was arrested around 10 pm that my parents got to know about the incident.

“I live with my parents; I left home on Sunday and told them that I was going for ushering job. I used the foreign number I generated in texting the owner of the apartment.”

Exhibits recovered from Chidinma include a driving license, complimentary cards, Access Bank’s statement of account, a Nigerian passport with number B50010434 belonging to the suspect, one fake driving license bearing Mary Johnson with the suspect’s photograph, one National Identification card bearing the suspect’s name, UBA Automated Teller Machine debit card bearing the suspect’s name and a University of Lagos ID card in her name.

BIG STORY

Comedy Duo’s #MakeWeHalla Video Catalyzes Conversations on Domestic Violence in Nigeria

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In a nation where the discussion on domestic violence often remains shrouded in silence, two power actors have ignited a powerful movement that is resonating deeply across Nigeria.

Charles Inojie and Ali Nuhu, through their viral video titled #MakeWeHalla, have initiated a much-needed conversation on the pressing issue of domestic violence.

The video features the two talented actors in a humorous yet thought-provoking short video, emphasising the importance of speaking out against domestic violence.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43iD60Nh7e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

 

With their trademark wit and charm, Inojie and Nuhu delivered a compelling message; when Nigerians witness domestic violence, they must make noise, they must ‘halla’.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BEb4wMq5h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

The video is capturing the attention of viewers across various demographics, sparking discussions on online platforms.

Among many Nigerians who have been inspired by the video is a fast-rising actor and social media influencer, Joseph Momodu.

He wrote, “Yesoooo Oga Charles. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Domestic violence is not good and the more reason to really Halla!!”

A popular Nigerian film director and social media personality, Falalu Abubakar Dorayi, also known as Falalu A. Dorayi, added his voice against sitting on the fence while witnessing incidents of domestic violence. To him, “Women abuse is a bad behavior. Silence, when we see people doing (it), is like giving a chance to continue. It’s true, everywhere we see signs of “abuse” happening. Let’s expose the secrets. #MakeWeHalla.”

“This is powerful. We must halla! Like I always say, to fix this nation, you must fix yourself first. You are a part of the nation; once you fix you, you have fixed the nation. This is applicable to a community where domestic violence thrives,” Lanre Adediwura, an award-winning actor and online personality, opined.

A Nigerian actress and online celebrity, Kiitan Bukola, said that Nigerians can’t continue to sit on the fence in the face of domestic violence. “We must halla; we can’t continue to ignore. let’s kick against domestic violence… ,“ she wrote.

The success of #MakeWeHalla by encouraging individuals to speak up, is empowering communities to break the cycle of silence and stigma.

Inojie and Nuhu’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as their initiative has garnered widespread praise and support from both fans and advocacy groups alike.

Monsurah Hamza with handle @ayotibami0 wrote, “Kudos to Charles Inojie and Ali Nuhu for sensitizing Nigerians on domestic violence #MakeWeHalla.”

Elated social media user @oladebuofficial stated, “How do I like this video 1 million times cos Bravo. Thank you for this… #MakeWeHalla.”

Bammy_ay wrote, “We really need more of this kind of video to educate people on domestic violence. Do not die in silence! #MakeWeHalla.”

@ekumastanleyifeanyi3 simply commented, “Say no to domestic violence.”

Through their creativity and dedication, Inojie and Nuhu have leveraged their platform to shine a spotlight on a critical issue that often remains hidden in the shadows.

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BIG STORY

President Tinubu Directs Single-Digit Tax System In Nigeria, To Launch Consumer Credit Scheme Soon — FIRS Chairman Adedeji

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Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji says President Bola Tinubu has given a directive for a single-digit tax system in Nigeria.

Adedeji made this known on Wednesday when Adebayo Alli, chief executive officer (CEO) of Guinness Nigeria, led a management team of the firm on a visit to the revenue house in Abuja.

Adedeji, in a statement, described the directive as a strategic plan that is being religiously followed to lead the country out of the current economic challenges.

“The president gave a directive that he wants a single digit tax in the country, meaning that the maximum number of taxes we will have after the work of the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms will be nine taxes,” the chairman said.

“For us at FIRS, we have responded to that directive. We want to grow the pie such that even if we are taking the same percentage of the bigger pie, the result will be huge.

“By God’s grace, we will not introduce additional taxes nor increase any form of taxes. We are only determined to increase the pie.

“We have restructured our operations at FIRS in such a way that we are now effectively carrying out our duty of assessing, collecting and accounting for taxes.

“We used to have functional types of taxes, but we have identified that the only customers we have are the taxpayers.

“We have improved the way we relate with our customers by rearranging our operations based on our customers, using their turnover as the basis to categorise them into large, medium and small.

“We did this to actually develop expertise in what we do. Secondly, to provide you with a one-stop shop for your activities.

“If you are in a large tax group, you only need to go to one office to pay all forms of taxes, including audit and other activities. You don’t need to move from one office to another again.

“We are here to serve you. You taxpayers are not armed robbers or criminals that we will be chasing about. FIRS is also not a law enforcement organisation. We are partners in progress.

  • FG To Launch Consumer Credit Scheme Soon

Adedeji said the president, through the consumer credit scheme recently introduced, intends to increase the purchasing power of Nigerians to boost the productive capacity of companies and stimulate growth.

According to the chairman, another bold decision the president has taken is the birth of the renewed hope infrastructure fund.

He said some of the raw materials sourced locally are produced in the Northern part of the country, noting that the lack of sufficient infrastructure raises the expenses associated with transporting these materials between locations.

“In a couple of days, the consumer credit scheme will be launched and what that will do is to really set the right fundamentals most especially for the kind of products you sell,” he said.

“In an economy of our size, it will be extremely difficult if we don’t have a consumer credit scheme. People need to eat before they drink. But when they have credit to buy things, this gives them more money that they can use to come to drink and relax after work.

“More so, the president has also directed the commencement of a single window platform for your logistics at the ports. So, instead of having to pay in many places, you can now do that through the platform, most especially for companies like yours.

“You know your products before they come into the country, so you pay before they arrive as the issue of port congestion that delays the time you get your raw materials has been taken care of now.

“Based on the president’s holistic plan, in the next three years, we will have a very good rail and road transportation network that will make movement of goods and raw materials easy and remove most of the bottlenecks for industries.”

On his part, Alli pledged that the company would continue to do business in the country, notwithstanding the current macroeconomic challenges.

“We have come to know FIRS more and also tell you a little bit about who we are as a large taxpayer so you can understand our world, the value we add to Nigeria, despite the macro-economic situation facing us,” he said.

He assured the Adedeji that Guinness would continue to invest in the country, seeking assurances from the tax authority in terms of the role it would play “in getting the economy back on the right path from the recovery point of view.”

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: DHQ Declares Physics Professor, Woman, 6 Others Wanted Over Murder Of Army Personnel In Delta

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The Defence Headquarters has declared eight persons wanted over the killing of army personnel in Okuama community, Delta state.

Recall that the 17 army personnel were killed on March 14 during an operation in the community.

Those declared wanted include Ekpekpo Arthur, a professor of physics at the Delta State University; Akeywiru Omotegbono, Andaowei Bakrikri, Igoli Ebi, a lady; Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Oghenerukevwe and Reuben Baru.

The names of the deceased soldiers are A.H Ali, D.E Obi, S.D. Ashafa, U. Zakari, Yahaya Saidu, Danbaba Yahaya, Kabir Bashir, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu.

After the killing of the army personnel, President Bola Tinubu and the military high command promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

On Wednesday, the personnel were buried at the military cemetery in Abuja and were posthumously conferred with national honours by President Tinubu.

The president also offered scholarships to children of the late officers.

Speaking during the burial ceremony of the late personnel, Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), said it was “highly demoralising” that the soldiers were killed by those they were equipped to protect.

The army chief added that it took over 72 hours of searching to recover the vital organs of some of the deceased soldiers.

He added that the Nigerian Army exercised  “a lot of restraint” in the search for missing arms and body parts of the deceased soldiers.

The army chief also said some of the widows of the slain officers are pregnant.

“The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigerian state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, which include parents,” Lagbaja said.

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