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Blood on Chidinma’s dress matched Ataga’s DNA, forensic expert tells court

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Richard Somiari, the 11th prosecution witness in the alleged murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, says the DNA blood sample found on her 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 TBS on Tuesday.

Ojukwu, a 300-level student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is charged with the murder of Ataga, the CEO of Super TV, alongside her sister Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri.

At the resumed hearing, the witness was led in evidence by Adenike Oluwafemi, the deputy director of public prosecutions in Lagos.

Somari told the court that he had practised in forensics for 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.

The forensic analyst said his office received 21 items as evidence on different days from their DNA centre staff members.

He said the items included a stained red dress, an army green T-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma.

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

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

Somiari told the court that the DNA blood sample collected from Chidinma’s red dress matched that of Ataga.

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

Somiari was cross-examined by Onwuka Egwu, the first defendant’s counsel.

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 a procedure.

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

Egwu requested 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, the duvet, and the 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.

Babatunde Busari, the second defendant’s counsel, also cross-examined the witness.

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

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

C. G. Ugochikwu, the third defendant’s counsel, said she had no examination for the witness.

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

Chidonma Ojukwu and the two others were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos government.

Ojukwu and Quadri 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.

Crime

Thieves cart away cows meant for church harvest celebration

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Suspected thieves have carted away two cows from the premises of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Testimony Parish in the Egbeda area of Oyo state.

In a post published on its Facebook page, the church said the stolen cows, bought at N1.9 million, were meant for its annual adult harvest thanksgiving celebration.

The incident happened on November 11 as the church prepared for the celebration slated for November 17.

After days of searching for the missing cows, the church solicited for financial contributions to buy new cows for the harvest celebration.

“Dear Celestians and The General public, This 2 Huge Cows was stolen where it was Tied in The Church Premises at CCC Testimony parish Elerumoke Area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia and its meant for slaughter for the 9th adult harvest thanksgiving of the church coming up this Sunday 17th November 2024,” the church wrote on Facebook.

“We hereby solicit for your prayer for quick recovery of this harvest thanksgiving sacrificial materials.

“Anybody with useful information on how to recover these cows or any means of assistance to make the harvest thanksgiving a beautiful one should contact the parish shepherd.”

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Crime

NDLEA arrests businessman for smuggling cocaine through ingestion

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.

Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.

The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.

Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.

“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”

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UK teenager risks 20 years in Dubai prison for sex with 17-year-old girl

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An 18-year-old British boy has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl in Dubai.

Detained in Dubai, a group of UAE legal experts, said the teenager was on holiday with his parents when he met the girl — who is now 18 — at the same hotel.

The teenagers who are both from London were said to have made plans to continue their romance when they returned to the UK.

The group, which campaigns to help people it says have suffered injustice in the UAE, said the young man was charged because the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures back in the UK.

It was gathered that the woman subsequently contacted police in Dubai and he was arrested.

The boy however claimed he was unaware that the girl was younger than him when they met. The teenager also disclosed that he was in police custody for three days and was unable to contact his parents.

“We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” he told Detained in Dubai.

“My parents knew about our relationship but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.

“When she left, I couldn’t wait to see her again when I got home. Then suddenly, police knocked on our hotel door. They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn’t tell me why. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.”

The teenager, it is understood, could face up to two decades in prison owing to Dubai’s strict laws regarding sex outside marriage.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of the campaign group, said Dubai recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but “still hosts a strict Islamic legal system”.

“Sex outside marriage is legal for tourists but only if both parties are over 18. The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn’t know that at the time,” Stirling said.

“Since his arrest, she has turned 18. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting.

“Parents will be scared to take their older teenagers on vacation with them where they could end up losing their lives over behaviour that’s completely legal in their own countries.”

The teenager and his family have called on foreign secretary David Lammy, their local MP, to intervene in the case.

The teenager is no longer being held in a police cell but is unable to leave the country, with his family facing bills of £2,000 for Airbnb accommodation until his case is resolved.

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