The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, has recommended Chidinma Ojukwu and four others for trial over the murder of the Chief Executive of Super Television, Michael Ataga.

In the legal advice issued on 20 August 2021, the DPP cleared 11 other suspects and asked that they should be released.

Apart from Chidinma Ojukwu, others recommended for trial with her are Adedapo Quadri and Egbuchu Chioma.

Chioma was found in possession of the deceased’s iPhone 7, and had initially refused to release the phone on demand.

According to the DPP, a prima facie case of conspiracy to murder, murder, and conspiracy to commit forgery was established against the suspects.

The 11 listed by the DPP for release are Babalola Disu, Olowu Ifeoluwa, Olutayo Abayomi, Nkechi Mogbo, Ojukwu Onoh,

Others are Tony Okonye, Damilola Adekoya, Bola Adekoya, Segun Akinsanya, Oluwatoni Dada, and Adams Kenneth.

The DPP, after careful consideration of facts, said she was of the view that no offence had been disclosed against the other 11 persons in respect of the case.

“No offence has been disclosed against them and they should be released if still in custody,” Adeyemi stated, according to a report by Punch.

The DPP report is crucial in the way the police will handle the cases arising from the murder of Usifo Michael Ataga.

And it has come amid complaints by the family of Ataga that the police are befuddling the cases.

The police on 9 August, without waiting for the DPP report had arraigned Chidinma and Adedapo at a Yaba magistrate’s court and charged them with murder.

Usually, murder cases are handled at the high court.

The police also docked Chidinma’s adopted father, Mr. Onoh Ojukwu and four others for obstruction of justice.

Ojukwu, 57, and Babalola Disu, 42, were charged with obstructing the police from performing their duties and failing to report a crime to the police.

The other three defendants, Jessica Egbochi, 28; Abayomi Olutayo, 23; and Ifeoluwa Olowu, 23, were accused of dishonestly receiving stolen items.

It was unclear how the police will proceed with the prosecution of the suspects with the game changing report by the DPP.