The High Court in Lagos, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, has dismissed Chidinma Ojukwu’s accusations that she was bullied and intimidated into confessing to the alleged murder of Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga.
The prosecution had submitted evidence that established the voluntariness of the defendant’s remarks, according to Justice Yetunde Adesanya, who presided over the trial within a trial.
Ms Ojukwu, Adedapo Quadri, and her sister Chioma Egbuchu are on trial for Ataga’s murder.
The defendant had challenged the validity of her statements, arguing that they had not been made voluntarily and that she had been smacked and forced to sign them.
However, Justice Adesanya concluded that the recordings shown in court did not demonstrate any intimidation of the defendant while she was writing her statements, and that the voice of the investigating police officer (IPO) was clear and audible, with no indication of intimidation.
“The videos tendered in court did not display any intimidation towards the defendant while she was writing her statements,” Judge said.
“The voice of the investigating police officer (IPO) was clear and audible. It did not show any form of intimidation.”
The court, therefore, admits the two statements in evidence and marks them as exhibits.
The case has been adjourned until May 30 for the continuation of the trial.