Friday, April 18, 2025 - Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the m#rder of Super TV CEO, Michael Usifo Ataga, today, April 17, recounted how she discovered Ataga's lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of a Lagos High
Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, the former 300-level Mass Communication
student of the University of Lagos said she had returned from buying food and
juice, knocked repeatedly without getting a response, then pushed the door
open, only to find blood on the floor and Ataga lying motionless in a pool of
blood.
“I dropped
everything and rushed to him,” she recalled emotionally, adding that his eyes
were half-shut and there was no pulse.
Led in evidence by her counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma
recounted her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020. Chidinma
mentioned that they met through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s
friend, James. She described Ataga as kind and supportive, claiming he paid her
school fees and helped finance her cosmetics business.
According to her, Ataga who hails from Edo State and was
residing in Victoria Garden City, had three children with his estranged wife
based in Abuja. She told the court that on June 13, 2021, Ataga informed her of
his upcoming birthday and invited her to spend time with him before travelling
to Abuja for a family gathering.
“Due to
ongoing renovations at his VGC residence, he suggested booking a hotel or
short-let apartment in Lekki, where he had scheduled meetings,” she said
Chidinma stated that she found a short-let apartment at 19
Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved. According to
her, they met there that evening, went out to eat at Ango Villa restaurant,
bought wine, and returned to the apartment to eat, drink, and smoke.
She told the court that on June 14, they woke up late and
Ataga allegedly asked her to contact her supplier for ‘loud’ (cannabis) and
rohypnol. She said he sent N15,000 for that and later N25,000 for food. She was
out for about two hours buying meals due to COVID-related restrictions and
delays. She mentioned that on June 15, Ataga requested more cannabis but asked
her to pay since he was unable to transfer funds.
He also gave her money for food and juice. After a delay
caused by a mix-up over the okro soup she was asked to buy, she returned to the
apartment — only to be met with a horrifying scene.
“I saw blood stains, pushed the door open, and saw Michael on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse — there was none.”
In panic, she said she cleaned blood off herself, changed clothes, and packed her belongings, including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson. She also took some jewellery before leaving the apartment in a cab.
The case was adjourned till April 28, 2025, for the
continuation of the trial.
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