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A Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Yaba, Lagos, has ordered that Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, be remanded in prison for 30 days.
Counsel to the police, Cyril Ejiofor, had asked the court to remand Ojukwu and one Adedapo Quadri after they were arraigned on Monday.
“The remand is to enable the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to come up with legal advice. We pray for the remand of the defendants for the first 30 days in the first instance,” he said.
Reacting, Ojukwu’s counsel, Babajide Martins, who is a Director at the Office of the Public Defender, told the court that the prosecution failed to provide the defence with the remand application. He, however, did not oppose it
He said: “I have just been privileged to get a copy of the remand application. I have not been able to go through it, my learned friend’s application is inevitable, I would have been happier if I was obliged to the application earlier. The application will not be opposed, in principle.”
Ruling on the police application, the Magistrate, Mrs. Adeola Adedayo, subsequently ordered the two defendants to be remanded pending legal advice from the DPP.
“In the absence of any opposition, the two defendants are hereby remanded for 30 days in the first instance. The case is adjourned till September 5, for review of remand/DPP’s advice,” Adedayo said.
Quadri had no legal representation.