Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, took the stand on Thursday at the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, offering a detailed account of how she allegedly found Ataga dead in a Lekki short-let apartment on June 15, 2021.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, the former 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos said she had stepped out to buy food and juice. Upon returning, she knocked on the door but got no response. Inside, she was met with a disturbing scene.
“There was blood on the floor. I dropped everything and rushed to him. His eyes were half-closed, and I couldn’t find a pulse,” she said tearfully.
Under examination by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma spoke about her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020 through a mutual friend.
She described him as supportive, saying he had paid her school fees and helped her with her business.
According to her testimony, Ataga a father of three, separated from his wife in Abuja had invited her to spend time with him ahead of his birthday.
Due to renovations at his residence in VGC, they rented an apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road in Lekki.
They met at the apartment on June 13, went out to eat, and returned later with wine. The following day, she said Ataga asked her to buy cannabis (“loud”) and rohypnol, sending N15,000, and later N25,000 for food. Chidinma said she faced delays due to COVID-19 restrictions.
On June 15, she claimed he again requested cannabis, but couldn’t transfer funds, so she paid for it herself. He also gave her money for food and juice. Delays caused by an order mix-up prolonged her return, and when she got back, she found the apartment in chaos.
“I saw blood stains and pushed the door open. Michael was lying on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse there was nothing,” she said.
In a state of panic, she claimed, she cleaned herself up, changed clothes, and packed her belongings including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents tied to one Mary Johnson. She also admitted taking some jewelry before leaving in a cab.
The court adjourned proceedings until April 28, 2025, for continuation of the trial.
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