Chaka Zulu, the longstanding manager of Atlanta rap icon Ludacris, has been acquitted of murder and related charges in a shooting case. Prosecutors have dropped the charges, determining that Zulu acted in self-defense during an incident.
Chaka Zulu, the longtime manager of Atlanta rap legend Ludacris, has been cleared of charges in a shooting case where he was accused of murder and other offenses.
Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, dropped murder and additional charges against Zulu, on Nov. 22, after concluding that he had acted in self-defense during a shooting incident. The incident occurred in the parking lot of Zulu’s Buckhead restaurant in 2022, where a fight broke out, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old college graduate.
Zulu, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi, surrendered to authorities on Sept. 13 and was released on bond the same day.
Zulu’s attorney, Gabe Banks, presented evidence and argued that his client had acted in self-defense. Surveillance video from outside the restaurant, APT 4B, was released, showing Zulu being assaulted by a group of men before he fired his gun.
The video supported Zulu’s claim that he was defending himself against the attackers. Following the decision to drop the charges, Banks released a statement on behalf of Chaka Zulu.
On November 23, Banks shared a statement on Zulu being cleared:
“Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of Atlanta, is pleased with the outcome of the thorough investigation conducted by District Attorney Fani Willis and her team of lawyers and investigators. From the beginning of this case, Mr. Zulu was committed to a fair process. He fully believes that after a thoughtful examination of all the facts and evidence related to this matter, District Attorney Willis reached an appropriate and just decision. It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that there was a loss of life under extraordinary circumstances. However, it is now time for Mr. Zulu to put this difficult process behind him, and to focus on the support and nurturing of his family. Accordingly, we respectfully request privacy at this time, and that any inquiries be directed to the office of Gabe Banks, Esq.”
The shooting incident, which took place on June 26, 2022, in the parking lot of Zulu’s Buckhead restaurant, resulted in three people being shot. Artez Benton tragically lost his life, and another person was hospitalized.
Atlanta investigators determined that the shooting occurred during a fight between Zulu and other individuals.
Updated By: Chris Samuel (11/27/23 at 5:14 pm)
Atlanta rapper Ludacris’ longtime manager Chaka Zulu was officially charged with murder after the Atlanta shooting in June. He had turned himself in last Tuesday.
Manager and Co-founder of record label Disturbing The Peace, Chaka Zulu, real name Ahmed Obafemi, has been officially charged with murder.
The murder charge follows a shooting at an Atlanta restaurant this past June and where Artez Jamil Benton was fatally shot during the incident.
PEOPLE magazine obtained public records and discovered Zulu had turned himself into the Fulton County Jail last Tuesday.
The music executive had been charged with murder, aggravated assault, simple battery, and possession of a firearm or knife to commit a felony. That same day, he was put on a $200,000 bond.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Gabe Banks, working as Zulu’s attorney, said his client “was forced to defend himself” after being attacked “by a gang of at least four individuals.”
Banks added that Zulu was “disappointed” about the decision to charge him.
“Mr. Zulu was shot in the back during the shooting and nearly lost his life, and is still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries he sustained that evening. Mr. Zulu was at his place of business that night and had every right to defend himself.”
He pointed out that Zulu “lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense; a weapon that he is licensed to carry.”
Despite the charge, he “remains confident that [Obafemi’s] name will be cleared of all charges through the judicial process.”
Rapper/Actor Ludacris’ longtime manager and co-CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records, Chaka Zulu, was one of the three victims in an Atlanta shooting.
According to WSBTV, Zulu fought back in self-defense during the shooting. The attack, captured on nearby surveillance cameras, gave a bird’s eye view of the scene of the crime.
The post Ludacris’ Manager Chaka Zulu Cleared In 2022 Shooting Case appeared first on SOHH.com.
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