In a recent development at the Lagos State High Court located in Tafawa Balewa Square, the no-case submissions made by Chioma Egbuchu and Adedapo Quadri were dismissed by Justice Yetunde Adesanya. Both defendants had sought to have the charges against them dismissed due to alleged lack of evidence. However, the judge ruled that there was enough evidence for them to proceed with their defense in the ongoing murder trial of Michael Usifo Ataga, the CEO of Super TV.
The defendants, including Chioma Egbuchu and Adedapo Quadri, were arraigned on multiple counts related to the murder of Ataga. The trial involves Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, who is also a defendant in the case. The prosecution presented material evidence linking the defendants to the crime, leading the judge to order them to open their defense.
The incident, which took place on June 15, 2021, at a residence in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, involved the stabbing of Ataga multiple times. The court proceedings revealed details of the involvement of the defendants in the case, with Egbuchu facing an additional count of theft related to the victim’s phone. Despite the no-case submissions, the judge ruled that both Egbuchu and Quadri must provide their defense in the trial.
The next court date for the case has been scheduled for April 9, 2025, giving the defendants the opportunity to present their defense in response to the charges brought against them.