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Usifo Ataga: Chidinma and foster father, Ojukwu Onoh were lovers, witness tells court

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Justice Yetunde Adesanya of a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), was yesterday told that there was an amorous relationship between Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged killer of the Chief Executive Office of Super TV, Usifo Ataga and her the foster father, Ojukwu Onoh.

A prosecution witness, Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP), Olusegun Bamidele, disclosed this while being cross-examined by Chidinma’s counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, during trial within trial to determine the voluntariness of the defendant’s statement.

Bamidele, who is serving with the homicide department of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti Yaba, said Ojukwu volunteered a statement without duress to the police when she was arrested.

The police officer told the court that it was during investigation that the police stumbled on intelligence, that there was an amorous relationship between the first defendant and her foster father.

He added that they discovered that Mr. Ojukwu was not sincere with the police.

See also  I met Ataga dead in Lekki apartment, Chidinma claims as she begins defence in murder case

Ojukwu, a 300 level Mass Communication undergraduate of the University of Lagos, is standing trial with his sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri over murder, stealing and forgery.

At the resumed proceeding, the state counsel, Ms. T. E. Onilaja informed the court that the court adjourned the case for trial within trial at the last date.

During the last proceeding, when the prosecution counsel sought to tender the written statements of the defendants, Chidinma’s counsel Onwuka Egwu, objected to the admissibility of the documents.

He said that she didn’t make the statements voluntarily; that the statements were obtained by oppression, inducement intimidation and under duress and urged the court to test the veracity of the voluntariness of the statements.

However, Bamidele in his evidence, narrated to the court how Ojukwu’s statement was obtained when she was arrested. He told the court that the defendant’s statement was not obtained under duress or inducement.

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He described his office setting and environment to the court, noting that Ojukwu wrote part of her statements by herself, but because her handwriting was not ligible, he helped her to write.

According to DSP Bamidele, when the first defendant (Ojukwu) was brought to his office after she was arrested, she requested for water and told him she was not eating.

The witness told the court that the statement was dated June 24, 2021 and that Chidinma wrote another statement in the evening of same date with her handwriting , which was supervised by his colleague, ASP Funke Madeyinlo.

Bamidele further told the court that he interacted with her in a hall, which he described as having capacity for over 300 people, with a podium.

After listening to his evidence, the judge adjourned to November 10, 2022 for further trial within trial.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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