Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level University of Lagos student, told the Lagos State High Court on Monday that fear of being falsely accused prevented her from reporting the death of Super TV CEO Michael Ataga.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, Chidinma said, “I’ve read about people who reported crimes and became suspects. I got scared.” She said she considered calling the apartment’s gateman again but panicked and hung up.
Chidinma, along with Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, faces a nine-count charge including murder, theft, and forgery. The trio was arraigned on October 12, 2021.
Opening her defence on April 17, Chidinma recounted events between June 16 and 23, 2021. She said she found Ataga lifeless and was later confused to see his WhatsApp status still showing “online.” When she called him, her calls were rejected.
She contacted the apartment’s gateman, Abu, who initially claimed Ataga had left. Later, he admitted the car was still parked on-site. Panicking, Chidinma said she texted Ataga, “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to leave you in that state. I was very scared.” She said she was subsequently blocked.
On June 18, she took two laptops to Computer Village selling a MacBook for N495,000 and leaving an HP laptop for repairs. She said the MacBook was a gift from December 2020.
She also said she gave her sister, Chioma, an old iPhone 7 Plus after Chioma lost her phone. Chioma visited her on June 22. Chidinma was arrested the next day.
During arrest, Chidinma alleged a police officer slapped her and handcuffed her father. At Panti police station, she said she was pressured to give a statement without legal representation and threatened with the detention of her family. “Officer Bamidele tore my first statement and forced me to write another,” she claimed.
She denied restraining Ataga, stating, “He was a big man. I couldn’t have tied him.” She maintained that the documents and items found in her possession were legally acquired.
Justice Adesanya adjourned the trial to April 29 for continuation.
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