Chidinma Ojukwu’s pageant participation, prize continue to spark controversy
More details have emerged in the controversial beauty pageant that saw a murder suspect, Miss Chidinma Ojukwu, emerge as the winner.
Chidinma is facing trial as the principal suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga.
The pageant which held in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos, under the supervision of DCP Lizzie Ekpendu, had 11 contestants representing various cells in the centre in the pageant to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.
In the end, 22-year-old Chidinma who was crowned Miss Correctional 2022 was presented with a chest freezer, flanked by officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) while the runners-up were given a refrigerator and other items.
A statement from the spokesperson for the Lagos Command of NCoS, Rotimi Oladokun, had mentioned the prizes to include “payment for examination fees (West African Examinations Council, National Examination Council & Joint Admission and Matriculation Board), donation of books, vocational equipment, training, and other welfare items” without specifically mentioning the grand prize given to the winners.
The event which was tagged ”The Wonder Of A Woman” is said to be the first of its kind and the result of three months of preparation, according to Uchendu.
In a previous interview with Channels Television, Uchendu who refers to the inmates as her daughters said she was committed to giving them a good life even behind bars.
The pageant has, however, been greeted with mixed reactions on social media with users questioning the rationale behind including Chidinma in such activity not minding the emotions of the family of the late Super TV CEO, especially when the case against the accused is still in court while others supported the contest, saying she’s still innocent until proven guilty.
Chidinma was arrested on June 23, 2021, in connection with the death of the TV boss after he was found in the pool of his blood in a short service apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos barely a week earlier.
She was charged with murder, stealing, and forgery on August 31 last year along with her sister Egbuchu Chioma and Adedapo Quadri. On October 12, Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square remanded Ojukwu and Quadri in prison custody.
On February 21, 2022, the case was stalled due to the absence of a prosecution witness, and the case was adjourned till April 25 for the continuation of trial.
-Channels TV
