By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The House of Representatives has expressed reservation over how investigation into the murder case of Usifo Ataga, Super TV’s CEO is going as it calls on the Nigeria Police to ensure that the case is not scuttled by media trial.
The legislators said they were concerned about the multiple media interviews the undergraduate prime suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, was allowed to address the press, while in custody, even after she was paraded by the Police.
The House also warned that nothing bad should happen to Chindinma in Police custody as she is needed to assist the police unravel the murder case.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Tolu Akande-Sadipe (APC-Oyo) at the plenary on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Abuja.
She had pointed out in the motion that since the arrest of the 21-year old suspect, she had been granting series of media interviews to both print and electronic media platforms.
This, she said, had caused the internet and news media to be awash with various versions of the story, leading to diverse conspiracy theories.
“The law of Nigeria does not allow for social media trials and matters that are subjudice to be discussed by the media.
The lawmaker said that, Section 36(5) of the Constitution provides that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until the person is proved guilty.
According to her, “Thus, so long as Chidinma has not been proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, she is not to be labelled a criminal, or paraded about to conduct a series of interviews on a case currently under investigation.
“Rather, the police are to conduct a proper investigation and allow the court to consider the matter and make an informed judgment,” she said.
She argued that if Chidinma continues to be paraded for a social media trial, it could affect the determination and outcome of the case.
She said that it could also amount to a breach of her fundamental right to fair hearing, especially “where she is labeled or treated as one guilty of a crime.”
The House, therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police to call all police personnel to order and ensure that there is no repeat of this violation of human rights.
The House also called for a cessation of media access to arrested persons in the future to avoid compromising the case in a court of law.
According to the House, this is to ensure future cases are not treated in the same manner and ensure that Chindinma, the accused does not die in custody or commit suicide.