Babalola Disu, a suspect arraigned over the alleged murder of Super TV chief executive Usifo Ataga, has denied complicity in the case.
Mr Ataga’s family had accused Disu of carrying out the alleged murder, arguing that it premised its suspicion on information it had to the effect that Disu’s short rental apartment was directly opposite the apartment where Ataga was killed.
“The family said it also suspects the said Disu for having a hand in Ataga’s murder because of the manner in which he disappeared from the service apartment and wondered why he was charged for mere obstruction and failure to report a crime, thus being granted bail in the ridiculous sum of N1m only,” a letter by the family’s lawyer Mike Ozekhome to the inspector general of police had read.
However, in a letter by his lawyers, David and Co, dated August 19, 2021, Disu said the allegation was malicious and false.
He said, “This statement was undoubtedly made with the intention of portraying our client as an irresponsible man, a criminal and a murderer. Our client is the only Disu who was arraigned for refusal to report the death of late Ataga.”
Aside from the prime suspect Chidinma Ojukwu, the police had arraigned two others: Onoh Ojukwu, 57, and Disu, 42, for obstructing the police from performing their duties and failing to report a crime.
The other three defendants, Jessica Egbochi, 28; Abayomi Olutayo, 23; and Ifeoluwa Olowu, 23, were accused of receiving stolen items.
