Connect with us

Metro

Usifo Ataga: Twist In Trial As Chidinma Ojukwu Changes Story

Published

on

Chidinma Ojukwu story

Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged murder suspect of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, on Thursday  told a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square that the statement she wrote at the police was torn changing the story of her earlier confession.

Ojukwu said this while giving evidence at the trial within trial to ascertain whether the statement she made was voluntarily made or coaxed.

The former 300-level Mass Communication undergraduate of the University of Lagos is standing trial for the alleged murder of Ataga.

She, alongside one Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, is also charged with stealing and forgery.

At the resumed trial, Ojukwu said that the two statements she wrote were torn and she was forced to sign the one written by ASP Olusegun Bamidele.

She said that she was also forced to sign the one dictated to her by officer Olufunke Madeyinlo.

The defendant who testified as the defence witness one (DW1), told the court that Bamidele asked her to rehearse the statement and narrate it to the Commissioner of Police (CP).

Ojukwu said that before she was taken to the CP’s office at Ikeja, her hands were handcuffed to the chair she sat from June 23 till the next morning on June 24, 2021.

Ojukwu was led in evidence in the trial within trial by her counsel, Mr Onwunka Egwu.

She narrated to the court that on June 23, 2021, she was in her room at their house, at No. 47 Akinwunmi St., Alagomeji Yaba, when her 10-year-old little sister informed her that there were men at the sitting room asking after her.

The witness said that she went to the sitting room and greeted the men, they then asked if she was Chidinma and she answered yes.

According to her, the men asked her the whereabouts of Mr Ataga’s phone and the Range Rover jeep  and she she said she did not know.

“My little sister called my father and informed him about the visitors.

“My Dad came out and asked the men who they were, they said they were police from the  Panti Police Station.

“They said they came to arrest me and to search the house or I should go in and bring the phone.

“One of the policemen slapped me and my father told him not to slap his daughter in his house,” she said.

However,  the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions,Mrs  Adenike Oluwafemi, objected and said she was giving evidence in the case instead of evidence on how her statement was taken.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya, however, asked Ojukwu’s counsel to guide her.

Ojukwu said that when the police arrested her, she asked her father to call their family lawyer, Mr Onwuka Egwu.

She said  that she was taken to DCP Razak Oseni’s office, were police officers asked her a lot of questions.

“We went back to my house and back to the DCP’s office.

“At DCP’s office, he asked me questions.  I told him that I don’t know anything about the death of Mr Ataga, that was when they made the video that was played in court.

“The DCP said I should make my statement. IPO Bamidele, therefore, took me to the interrogating room with Mr Chris, and  gave me a blank statement form and asked me to write what happened.

“I started writing, Bamidele took my left hand and handcuffed it to the chair. I wrote what I narrated at the DCP’s office.

“While I was writing, Bamidele took the statement from me, read it and said it was not what happened.

“I told him, sir, what I am writing is what happened. I also told him that I asked my father to call my lawyer, he said my Dad cannot make a call that he was in custody with them. I then started writing the statement.

“When he took the statement from me and said this is not what happened. I told him sir, this is what happened. I received two slaps from the back from Mr Jemiyo, Chidinma Ojukwu said in a twist that changed the earlier story that she confessed to the murder.

“Jemiyo and Chris were sitting behind me, the only person facing me was Bamidele. He said “you are going to write the truth”.

“He tore all the statements I had written and presented another blank statement form. I told him sir, I was writing the truth, you tore it.

“He said if I do not comply my family, my Dad, 10-year-old sister and  my relatives will be charged with this murder case,” she said.

The defendant narrated how officer Bamidele, brought out his phone, played the video of the scene at the apartment and showed pictures of Mr Ataga’s body.

Chidinma Ojukwu said that the officer then asked her to write, while she was writing, the officer slapped her and said she was slow, a story that she first brought to the notice of the court on Thursday.

 The defendant said she told the officer that she was not feeling well.

She said that the officer took the statement form from her and wrote the statement for her and handcuffed her hands to the chair.

She said that when the statement was read to her, she told the officer that it was not what happened but the officer said, “this is what you are going to say or else your family will be charged.

“He read the statement to me again and told me to rehearse it, that tomorrow (June 24, 2021), I will take it to the CP’s office and say that’s what happened.

“He left me there, it was around midnight”.

She said the officers came back in the morning and asked her to sign the statement.

During cross examination by the prosecution, Oluwafemi, Chidinma Ojukwu affirmed that she signed the statements according to the earlier story narrated by her.

The defendant also said that the second statement was dictated while the first was written.

Asked if she reported to anybody that she was slapped and that her head was hit on the table.

She said,”I did not report to anybody because there was nobody to report to”.

After testifying in her trial within trial, the judge gave the prosecution and the defence 14 days each to file their written addresses in the trial within trial.

 Justice Adesanya, consequently, adjourned the case until Jan.11, 2023, for the adoption of final written addresses in the trial within trial. (NAN)

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Education

‘Only God knows The Joy In Our hearts’ – Parents Of Released Kuriga Children Speak After Reuniting With Their Kids

Published

on

Parents joyfully celebrate reunion with their released Kuriga Children

The freed school children of LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have reunited with their parents three days after their release from captivity.

GWG.ng reports that the children were handed over to their parents by the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Professor Abdulkadir Meyere, on behalf of Governor Uba Sani.

Recall that they were kidnapped from their school by bandits on March 7th, and were rescued in Zamfara State by the military and local authorities two weeks after their abduction.

Presenting the children to their families, the Kaduna State SSG told them that their rescue was made possible through the tireless efforts of the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government.

“I remember vividly when this tragedy occurred, His Excellency the Governor went to Kuriga to assess the situation, sympathize with you, and inform you of the efforts he had made as the Governor of Kaduna State.

“He even declared that these children are his children and worked tirelessly with the Federal Government and security agencies for their safe rescue. By God’s mercy, today the Governor has fulfilled his promise, and the children have been rescued. The Governor ought to be here, but due to his work schedule, he could not make it,” Meyere told the families of the schoolchildren.

The parents of the rescued students were excited and relieved to reunite with their wads after more than two weeks of sleepless nights and anxiety.

They commended the efforts of the Kaduna State Government and the intervention of security agencies in release of their children.

The district head of Kuriga community, Lawal Abdullahi, prayed for the community never to experience such incident again.

“We, the people of Kuriga, did not realize how cherished we were until I met the Governor and the Secretary to the State Government. We pray to the Lord to bless these individuals. Not only in Kuriga but throughout Kaduna State, we hope that an incident of kidnapping students will not repeat itself”.

One of the parents of the abducted children, Idris Abdullahi, thanked Governor Uba Sani for fulfilling his promise to rescue the children when he visited Kuriga community after the kidnapping incident.

“Only God knows the joy in our hearts. We express our gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala for bestowing this mercy upon us. We have nothing to offer the Executive Governor except prayers and hope.

“We ask God to grant the Governor and his administration strength to enable him to complete his tenure successfully and to elevate him to the next position”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

CNN, Amnesty Put Focus On Erisco Vs Chioma Saga

Published

on

Chioma attracts international support against Erisco

Chioma Okoli, who has been embattled by the CEO of Erisco foods, Chief Eric Umeofia, after she made a negative review about his product in September, 2023, has reportedly been attracting support from the international community.

Founder of Erisco, Chief Eric Umeofia is demanding N5 billion over Chioma’s review which he claimed had cost his company severe financial loss. In the alternative, he wants her to spend a long time in jail as retribution for the comment she made against his product. The police have vowed to prosecute Chioma for cybercrime, while Umeofia is separately pressing a N5 billion in damages.

Chioma’s initial comment on Facebook read: “I went to buy tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew. I didn’t see Gino and Sonia. So, I decided to buy this one. When I opened it, I decided to taste it. Omo! Sugar was just too much. Ha, biko, let me know if you have used this tin tomato before because this is an Ike gwuru situation.”

Her post, accompanied by a photo of an opened can of Nagiko Tomato Mix, sparked varied reactions from commenters, one of whom replied: “Stop spoiling my brother’s product. If (you) don’t like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service.”

Her response to the reaction was what put her in trouble. She said: “Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and it’s pure sugar.”

On Wednesday, The Cable News Network (CNN) beamed its light on Chioma’s case saying: 

“A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.

“Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, is being prosecuted and sued in civil court for allegedly breaching the country’s cybercrime laws, in a case that has gripped the West African nation and sparked protests by locals who believe she is being persecuted for exercising her right to free speech.”

Nigerian legal and public affairs analyst Kelechukwu Uzoka told CNN that there are limits to the freedom of speech defense.

“No law guarantees absolute freedom,” he said. “While we have our freedom of expression, there are limitations. You can’t defame or malign someone.”

However, he added that “cybercrime is difficult to prove in court. You have to prove actual harm when the post was made. Erisco must prove that the Facebook post (by Okoli) affected its business as at the point it was made.” He noted that in Okoli’s post, she used a word with three asterisks, which could be open to interpretation.

“Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now,” Amnesty International Nigeria said earlier this month, as Nigerians began crowdfunding online to support her legal fees.

Okoli’s case has sparked protests at Erisco’s Lagos facility as many on social media called for a boycott of its products. The company’s founder, Eric Umeofia, refused to budge, however, saying in a recent documentary on Arise Television channel that he won’t drop the lawsuit against Okoli and that he would “rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow.”

See below some coments from Users on Reddit, a social media platform and online community where users can engage in discussions, share content:

reddorickt said,

“You can also report the obvious fake reviews. A 5- star rating from 5 days ago “This is the best product there is in Nigeria. Kudos to the brains behind this product”

1. The best product in Nigeria is sugary tomato sauce?

2. Specifically compliments the executive team, the people who are launching this lawsuit.

3. “The brains behind…” is similar language to comments from the company itself, acting like there is some profound proprietary new tomato sauce technology they have.

Another one a couple down “Wow! Never knew h clean and efficient Erisco Foods Limited was untiı. visited to buy their products. Their group CEO is an.”

Pierre Dessertenne said, “Literally the worst tomato purée I think they use painted tennis balls instead of tomatoes.”

Said Issak said, “disgusting not good. dont buy, and im not talking about their tomato puree.”

Aleksandr Sofias said, “tried it and hated it, worst food ever.”

YoussoufAMA Official said, “Worst tomato paste in Nigeria don’t buy. And the CEO is a bully.”

Read also

Kitty Cat said, “Pathetic what you’re doing to an innocent person.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

27-year-old Man Arraigned For Allegedly Raping A 20- year-old Woman

Published

on

By

A 27-year-old man, Olaoluwa Fakayode on Thursday  appeared in an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for allegedly raping a 20-year-old Woman  (name withheld).

Fakayode, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony to wit rape and rape.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/why-google-blocked-5-5bn-adverts/

The State Counsel, Ms Abimbola Abolade, thereafter applied for a trial date and for the prosecution to assemble her witnesses.

Abolade told the court that the defendant with his fleeing accomplice, allegedly committed the offences on April 23, 2020, at about 3.00 a.m. on  Cappa in Oshodi, Lagos.

She alleged that the defendant unlawfully had sexual intercourse with the survivor without her consent.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/see-the-pastor-that-charges-n1-7m-to-teach-people-how-to-perform-miracles/

Abolade told the court that the alleged offences contravened Sections 260(1) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

She pleaded with the court to allow her time to assemble her witnesses and requested for a trial date.

The counsel  urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre until the adjourned date.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

Justice Abiola Soladoye, agreed to the prosecution’s request and remanded the defendant in a custodial centre pending the hearing of his bail application.

The Judge adjourned the case until June 10, for commencement of trial.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

20-year-old Labourer Bags 6 Months Imprisonment For Stealing Cell Phones

Published

on

By

A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has sentenced a 20-year-old site labourer, Shamsudeen Salisu, to six months imprisonment for stealing cell phones.

Salisu, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of theft and escape from lawful custody.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict also begged the court for leniency.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/six-prominent-lawmakers-resigns-from-labour-party/

The Judge, Mr Aliyu Kagarko, however, gave  the convict an option of N20,000 fine and warned him to be a good citizen and of good behaviour, and desist from committing crime after serving his jail term.

He said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigours of protracted prosecution.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Anayo Nnamani told the court that the complainant, Lawrence David, of Masaka, Nassarawa State, reported the matter at Asokoro police station on March 21.

Nnamani said that on March 20, the convict went to NAF Valley’ Estate, Asokoro, Abuja, where the complainant was working at a  construction site and dishonestly and smartly made away with his Techno Pomo3 phone, valued at N32,000.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

He told the court that the convict stole the complainant’s cell phones along with his Access Bank ATM card which he kept at the back of the phone’s pouch.

He said that the convict dishonestly used the complainant’s sim card to purchase airtime worth N55,700 and sold the phone for N2,000.

Nnamani told the court that the convict snicked out of the police custody and escaped through the fence but was chased and re-arrested.

The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement while the cell phones were recovered  but that he could not give a satisfactory account of the N55,700 airtime

He  said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 173 of the Penal Code.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

Man Jailed 6 Months For Stealing Car Battery

Published

on

By

A Dei-dei Grade I Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced Abdulazeez Ibrahim to six months in prison for stealing a car battery.

The defendant, who was convicted and sentenced after pleading guilty to the said offence, begged the court for leniency.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

The Judge, Saminu Suleiman gave Ibrahim an option to pay a fine of N10, 000 and to pay N60, 000 compensation to the complainant, Abiola Adekunle.

Suleiman however warned him to desist from committing crimes and be of good behaviour.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Babajide Olanipekun told the court that Ibrahim forcefully opened the complainant’s car and removed the car battery on March 12.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/six-prominent-lawmakers-resigns-from-labour-party/

Olanipekun said Ibrahim converted the battery to his personal use, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/lis-of-countries-with-the-lowest-salary-incomes/

Section 288 states that whoever commits theft in or from a building, tent or vessel, used as a human dwelling or for the custody of property, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven or with fine or with both.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

What I Experienced In Detention – FirstNews Editor Narrates

Published

on

By

The Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, has narrated his ordeal in the detention of the Nigerian military.

Recall gunmen suspected to be military officers had invaded Olatunji’s residence at Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state, on March 15, and took him away.

Since his abduction, there has been a strong outcry from family members, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) calling on President Bola Tinubu to order his immediate release.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/six-prominent-lawmakers-resigns-from-labour-party/

However, on Thursday morning, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) was said to have released Olatunji after spending two weeks in its custody.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after his release, Olatunji said while in detention, he was interrogated about certain stories that FirstNews had carried.

He added that he was questioned about his stories regarding the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to the President.

Olatunji asserted that those behind his detention are part of the government, who are not happy with what FirstNews is doing, and are they bent on punishing him.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/lis-of-countries-with-the-lowest-salary-incomes/

The press briefing was organised by the leaderships of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

He said: “At first, they put me in a cell. There I was left with leg and hand cuffs. And at a point, one of the officers came and tightened the right leg and the right hand and I was there growing in pain. And they didn’t loosen it until about two or three days later. And at that time, the whole part of my body was getting node. In fact, up till now, I can still feel the pains.

“While in detention, they were asking me questions about certain stories that FirstNews had carried. They first told me that I was one of those abusing the chief of defence intelligence. They didn’t say much about that.

“Then they also asked a story we carried about the Chief of Staff to the president, and that was a major thing. That’s why I told some people earlier that those behind my arrest are people behind the corridors of power, who are not happy with what FirstNews is doing, and are they bent on taking their own pound of flesh.”


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

BREAKING: Binance Executives Drag NSA, EFCC To Court

Published

on

By

Detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has initiated a legal action against the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Gambaryan sued Ribadu and EFCC over alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/former-us-vice-presidential-nominee-joe-lieberman-is-dead/

In the originating motion dated and filed March 18 by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, the Binance executive sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo

Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped from lawful custody March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/breaking-eniola-ajao-strips-bobrisky-of-best-dressed-female-award-names-two-females-as-winners/

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

Knocks As Air Peace CEO Says Those Earning N200K Monthly In Nigeria Are Better Than Those Earning £2000 In UK  (video)

Published

on

Onyema on salary earning between Nigeria and Uk

Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace, has come under fire after he said that those earning two hundred thousand Naira monthly in Nigeria are better off than those earning two thousand pounds in the United Kingdom (UK). 

He said this while appearing as a guest on TVC. Speaking on the economic crisis and strength of the Naira, Onyema said he agrees that the bulk of the issue is “artificial”. 

“Go to London, if you earn two thousand pounds a month in London, you’re a pauper. What two thousand pounds can afford you is like two hundred thousand Naira.” 

“The person earning two hundred thousand Naira in Nigeria is better,” Onyema said.

He added that with earnings of 200,000, a Nigerian can afford a maid, a driver and other domestic staff. 

Onyema further affirmed that he believes completely that the Naira has more value than is being projected when compared to other foreign currencies. 

The Airpeace Boss appealed to Nigerians to stop demonetising the country.

Watch video below 👇

See reactions from netizens on Instagram:

amaka_paloma countered, “Atleast we have 24 hrs electricity, free health care, good roads, good security, peace of mind, content- ment, comfort, average and happy life etc. In naija just pray Nigeria doesn’t happen to u. 

“Sometimes people who go abroad go cos of their children’s future and their peace of mind. My 2000 pounds monthly, can never be com- pared to una 200k naira. We are happy and content with the 2k pound, as long as we are comfortable and have all the basic amenities we need. Omo, abeg u no fit ever compare heaven and hèll.”

Read also

emmy_oeo posited, “With all due respect sir you are so wrong.”

dalascouture clapped, “Old man come here cos u need better knock… atleast 2k pounds can still conveniently buy a flight ticket from Nigeria to d Uk but can dat so called 200k even buy a business class to Abuja.. unna don dey meant ajeh.”

xin_nightwolf asked, “Why won’t you say that.. it’s funny how the elite class.. the rich ones are the ones who’s gonna tell us how 200k will get you a maid and a driver? Bro you can’t even eat and transport yourself to work for a month!”

marcus_984 reacted, “When your local flight ticket fit collect the whole 200k once at a go.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

Man Throws Wife Out Of His House For Refusing To Drop Case Against His Brother Who Raped Their 8-year-old Daughter

Published

on

8-year-old defilement by woman's brother-in-law

A woman has been thrown out of her matrimonial home for refusing to drop the defilement case against her husband’s brother who raped her 8-year-old daughter.

This was disclosed in a post by a Kenyan activist, Njeri Wa Migwi, via her official X handle on Wednesday. 

Migwi said the father of the victim is also in support of dropping the case against his brother, preferring to resolve the matter at home. 

Her tweet read, “This lady has been thrown out of her marital home for continuing with a defilement case of her 8-year-old child after pressure to drop the case since it’s her brother in law. They want the case to be resolved at home not to bring shame. The way rapists get to have community support.

Read also

“She is in our office because she’s been told not to go back unless she drops the case. No one cares about the harm the little one is going through. Today was the mention of the case and the family raised bail for the perpetrator.”

See her picture post below 👇


Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Trending