The Lagos State High Court 15, under Honourable Justice Y.A. Adesanya, was again filled to capacity on Monday 14th February (today) as spectators and family members of both the deceased Super Tv boss Michael Atagha and Chidinma Ojukwu continued their quest for justice.
The case with charge number; LD/16413c/21 had gained so much attention since late last year.
Point News247 reports that one
Miss Chidinma Ojukwu and two others were charged with the murder of Michael Atagha, the CEO of Super TV, Nigeria.
Chidinma was represented by senior legal practitioner Onwuka Egwu Esq who appeared with Lazarus Okorie Esq and Itohan Olomu-Agbodo Esq (Mrs).
The prosecution led by Mrs Adeyemi* of the Department of Public Prosecution, called in their fifth witness (P.W.
5), one Mr. Rahman Saliu Obiora, who identified himself as the business partner and close friend of the deceased.
During his testimony, Obiora who said he was a network engineer, detailed how he had prescribed BP medications for the deceased and that they were as close as blood brothers. He even wept on several occasions, especially while describing the wounds on the deceased’s body.
However, during cross examination, he could not support his claim of seeing the position of the injuries because he was far away.
In his words; “We were not allowed to touch..I was two feet away”.
After his testimony, prosecution asked for an adjournment because their next witness was not available.
Meanwhile, lawyers have been reacting to the media attention this case is getting.
Some believe the public have already passed their judgment on Chidinma based on the way she has been painted negatively.
Point News247 asked one lawyer, who refused to reveal his identity what the position of the law is on the issue was, he said;
“As lawyers, we have a duty to defend anybody, no matter what crime the person has been accused of committing.
“It is sometimes impossible for a convict of a public court or media trial to be afforded the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the law, as the verdict of the public court or media trial is already in the public domain.
“However, based on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, justice is for everyone and even an accused person in a case of murder is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“In law we rely on the Latin maxim, Fiat Justitia Ruat Coelum, meaning…. Let justice be done even though the heavens fall”.
“Such is the case of Miss Chidinma. She too deserves to be granted fair hearing. I, particularly, am very interested in the outcome of this case. If the victim was a former boxer and black belter, how did this girl I’m seeing in court, disable and kill him”.
Developing story….