Metro

DNA: Blood On Chidinma’s Dress Matched Ataga’s – Witness

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2024

The 11th prosecution witness, Dr Richard Somiari, in the alleged murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, said the DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Usifo Ataga.

Somiari, a Director and Consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, gave his evidence before a Lagos High Court, at Tafawa Balewa Square, on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, is charged with the murder of Ataga, the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri.

At the resumed hearing, the witness was led in evidence by the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi.

He told the court that he had practised on the area of forensic for a period of 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.

The forensic analyst told the court that his office received 21 different items on different days from their DNA centre staff members.

He said the items were received for evidence and they included a stained red dress, an army green Tshirt, a DNA sample from Chidinma Ojukwu.

He added that other items received were urine, blood, gastric content and byle which were retained for toxicology report.

He said that the goal was to create an evidence triangle to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim.

Somiari said that the DNA on the red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga.

He, however, said that the DNA did not match that of Chidinma and the other suspects, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.

The witness was cross examined by the first defendant’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu.

The witness narrated how the result of the toxicology report was forwarded to the office of the Attorney-General of Lagos, the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He, however, said that not all forensic reports went through such procedure.

When asked if he questioned the report given by Dr Andrea Nuhu, the witness said: “I have already said that I am not a toxicologist. It is a toxicologist that can do such.”

Egwu, however, requested for the video of the crime scene to be played and the court granted it.

While the video was playing, he asked the witness whether the samples of the blood on the cotton, the wall, duvet, white polo the victim was wearing, were tested.

The witness answered that the samples were not submitted.

He, however, said that the markers indicated in his report had nothing to do with the video.

He had earlier said that some samples were in storage but not tested.

The second defendant counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, also cross examined the witness.

Busari asked if any DNA sample was taken from the second defendant, Quadri, the witness said no.

The counsel also asked the witness if he took part in the toxicology analysis which he answered no.

The third defendant counsel, Ms C. G. Ugochikwu, said that she had no examination for the witness.

After listening, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, adjourned the case until May 30 for continuation of trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ojukwu and the two others were arraigned on Oct. 12, 2021 by the Lagos State Government.

They are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing.

Egbuchu, however, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
VANGUARD

Metro

I Developed High Blood Pressure After I Discovered My Husband Had Another Wife — Wife

Published

6 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Editor

…Please, don’t dissolve our marriage — Husband

The Matero Local Court in Zambia, has heard that a man allegedly connived with his family to lie to his second wife that he was single.

According to Zambia Observer, Linda Mulenga, 30, giving evidence in the case where her husband, Lameck Mwale, 39, sued her for reconciliation, said she started losing interest in her marriage upon discovering that she was a second wife.

But Lameck said he still loved his wife and did not think that divorce was the solution to their current problem.

The couple got married in 2015 and has one child.

“I found out recently that my husband has a wife and that they have three children.

What is disturbing is that his family received me well and said nothing about his marital status,” Linda said.

Linda said it was better for them to go their separate ways because she had lost trust in her husband.

She also told the court that she recently discovered that her husband has a child with a Nyimba-based lover.

Linda said divorce was the best option because she was tired of being tortured mentally.

“It is better I walk out of the marriage now before this man kills me with depression.

“I have already developed high blood pressure because of the way he treats me.

“We have been separated for over three months now,” Linda said.

Testifying, earlier, Lameck said all was well in his marriage until his wife started accusing him of being promiscuous.

“He said he has not enjoyed his second marriage because of the fights and misunderstandings.

“I was married to another woman before I met her, but there is nothing between me and my first wife as we speak.

“Linda deserted our home due to the quarrels we have been having.

“I don’t know where she is at the moment,” Lameck said.

He peaded with the court to help him reconcile with his wife so that they could raise their child together.

Magistrate Kaputo Ng’andwe adjourned the case.

Metro

My Husband Gives Four Of Us Only N120 For Food —Wife

Published

6 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Editor

…I’m a labourer, can’t afford more – Husband

A Sharia Court sitting at Rigasa, Kaduna, Kaduna State, has dissolved a –one-year-old marriage, over the husband’s inability to provide for his wife.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judge, Salisu Abubakar-Tureta, delivering judgment, granted the prayer of Mariya Zhulyadaini for divorce from Jamilu Hassan.

Mariya in her petition prayed the court for divorce because her husband did not provide her the three square meals.

“My husband gives me only N120 daily to feed four people since we got married in 2020,” she said.

On his part, Hassan, who also resides in Rigasa area told the court that he was a labourer.

“I do not earn much as a labourer.

“When I make money, I give her 1,500 or N2, 00 per day for feeding our children.”

Metro

I Lost My Wealth, Became Security Guard After My Wife Cursed Me, Man Tells Court

Published

7 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Editor

GRADE A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has heard the prayer of a man, Friday, who dragged his wife, Dinah, to court for divorce.

Friday, in his evidence, said his wife was in the habit of fighting him both at home and in public and later took to threatening him with a knife.

He added that she stopped cooking for him for three years and later abandoned him for 12 years.

Friday, in his evidence, further pleaded for their children’s custody, while he requested an order restricting his wife from threatening and interfering with his private life.

According to Nigerian Tribune, Dinah was in court on the day the case was mentioned, and she denied all the allegations brought against her.

She also refused that her husband had custody of their children.

The defendant refused to make an appearance on subsequent adjourned dates. Friday, in his testimony, said, “My wife is responsible for my ruin.

“She has a caustic tongue, while she is also fetish.

“She cursed me until my once lucrative business collapsed, and I had no other choice but to take up a job as a security guard.

“Dinah treated me with disregard and refused that I have a say in the home.

“She disobeyed my rules and regulations and would end up fighting me.

“My wife not only fought me at home, but also in the public thus embarrassing me.

“My wife did the worst when she started threatening me with knife any time we had a misunderstanding.

“She stopped cooking for me for about three years and later abandoned me for 12 years.

“She took our children to her sister, who has failed to give them adequate care. “My lord, I entreat this honourable court to also grant me custody of our children so that I can give them proper care.

“I, in addition, plead for an order restraining my wife from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, giving her judgment after she had heard the plaintiff, stated that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend herself after her first appearance in court but that she decided not to make further appearance.

Ruling, Akintayo stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage held between both parties.