Ozekhome Charges Police to Thoroughly Investigate Ataga’s Murder

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and rights advocate, Chief Mike Ozekhome yesterday called on the Nigeria Police to carry out a thorough investigation of the gruesome murder of the Chief Executive Officer of SuperTv, Mr. Michael Ataga.

Ozekhome said a thorough investigation was necessary so that justice would not only be served, but the image of Nigeria would be enhanced since the matter has been in the public domain after the arrest and parade of the major suspect, one Miss Chidinma Ojukwu.

The senior lawyer’s charge was contained in an open letter he wrote to the Inspector General of Police, dated August 25, 2021.

Part of the letter titled, “The Gruesome and Horrific Murder of Mr Micheal Usifo Ataga: A Clarion Call for Thorough Investigation and Delivery of Justice,” reads, “We write this letter to you to request, Not for any special favours, but that you use your good offices to ensure that this murder is thoroughly and professionally investigated, perpetrators prosecuted and justice immediately served in this savage and barbaric murder that cries to the high heavens for redress.”

“Consequently, the whole world has been following the unfolding melodrama with keen interest, to know the way and manner that Nigeria’s criminal justice system works and how justice is eventually served to the suspect, the victim and the society itself,” he said.

Ataga, a 50-year-old married man and father of two, was reportedly killed in a short-let apartment at No 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1,Lagos State on June 15, 2021.

The alleged culprit, Chidinma, 21 years and a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba had on June 24, 2021, during a public parade by the Police in Lagos, admitted to stabbing the late Super TV CEO to death.

Ozekhome, who is leading a team of lawyers on the side of late Ataga’s family said there are evidence with which the court have the responsibility to prove that Chidinma did not act alone, stressing that the Police have to be more professional in the investigation.

“This entire murder case has so far been most unprofessionally handled and perhaps deliberately bungled”, he said, “But why should this be the case? The Ataga family (our client) has already pointedly accused the Police of deliberately bungling the investigations, so as to allow some major suspects escape justice, or give them soft landing by arraigning them before a Chief Magistrate court and slapping their wrists with lesser offences.”

Ozekhome therefore called on the police to carry out a fresh investigation of the murder to unravel the real masterminds and all accomplices, assuring that no stone shall be left unturned in the pursuit of justice for the late Ataga.