Chidinma’s Shocking Court Testimony: “I Dropped Everything and Rushed to Him” – The Fatal Discovery in Lekki

Chidinma’s Shocking Court Testimony: “I Dropped Everything and Rushed to Him” – The Fatal Discovery in Lekki

A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square yesterday heard the testimony of Chidinma Ojukwu—the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga. Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is facing trial for Ataga’s murder alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri. She is also charged with stealing and forgery in connection with the case. Ojukwu was initially arraigned on October 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge.

During her testimony before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, Ojukwu described how she discovered Ataga’s body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021. She recounted that after leaving to buy food and juice, she returned and knocked on the door but received no response. When she pushed the door open, she was confronted with a gruesome scene: blood on the floor and Ataga lying dead in a pool of blood.

“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she said, adding that his eyes were half-shut and he had no pulse.

Led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Ojukwu detailed her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020. They had met through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was then dating Ataga’s friend, James. She described Ataga as kind and supportive—he had paid her school fees and assisted her cosmetics business. According to her account, Ataga mentioned that he was originally from Edo State, resided in Victoria Garden City, and worked in the media industry. He also revealed that he had three children with his estranged wife, who lives in Abuja.

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Chidinma testified that Ataga had contacted her on June 13, 2021, inviting her to spend time with him as his birthday approached, before he left for Abuja for a family celebration. Due to renovations at his home in VGC, he suggested that they meet at a hotel or apartment in Lekki. Ojukwu located a short-let apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, with Ataga’s approval. That evening, the pair went out for dinner at Ango Villa Restaurant, picked up some wine and later returned to the apartment to drink, eat, and smoke.

On the following day, June 14, 2021, after waking up late, Ataga requested that she contact her supplier for cannabis and rohypnol. He sent her N15,000 for the purchase and later provided another N25,000 for food. On June 15, 2021, Ataga again requested more cannabis, asking her to pay since he couldn’t transfer funds and also gave her money for food and juice. After struggling to reach him due to an issue with an okro soup purchase, she returned to the apartment, only to find him dead.

“I saw blood stains, pushed the door open, and saw Michael on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse and there was none.”

In a state of panic, Ojukwu wiped the blood from herself, changed her clothes, and gathered her belongings. These included a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson, along with some jewelry, before she left the apartment in a cab.

The case has been adjourned to April 28 for further trial proceedings.