I met Ataga dead in Lekki apartment, Chidinma claims as she begins defence in murder case

Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Usifo Ataga, has claimed that she only discovered the Super TV CEO’s corpse in a Lekki short-let apartment.

Ojukwu, a former 300-level mass communication student of the University of Lagos, narrated this before a Lagos high court in Tafawa Balewa Square on Thursday.

She is standing trial alongside her sister Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri, for the murder of Ataga.

The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos government.

Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eighth counts bordering on conspiracy, murder and stabbing, while her sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

At the resumed court hearing, Ojukwu opened her defence before the judge, Yetunde Adesanya.

She claimed she only found Ataga’s lifeless body at a Lekki shortlet apartment on June 15, 2021.

She was led in evidence by her lawyer, Onwuka Egwu, and narrated her relationship with Ataga, which she said began in November 2020.

Ojukwu told the court that she met Ataga through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James.

She described Ataga as kind and supportive, adding that he had once paid her school fees and supported her cosmetics business.

She said Ataga told her he was from Edo state, lived in VGC, and was in the media industry.

Ojukwu also said Ataga told her that he had three children with his estranged wife, who lived in Abuja.

She said Ataga called her on June 13, 2021, to reveal his birthday was coming up that week.

She said he invited her to spend time with him before he would head to Abuja for a family celebration.

“Due to some renovations at his VGC home, he suggested getting a hotel or an apartment in Lekki, where he had meetings,” Ojukwu said.

“I eventually found a short-let apartment at 19, Adewale St., off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved.

“We met there that evening and went out to eat at Ango Villa restaurant. We picked up wine, then returned to the apartment to drink, eat, and smoke.”

Ojukwu recounted how they spent their day on June 14, 2021.

According to her, they woke up late that day, and Ataga asked her to contact her cannabis and Rohypnol supplier.

She said Ataga transferred N15,000 to her for narcotics and gave her N25,000 for food.

Ojukwu said she spent about two hours buying meals due to a COVID-related delay.

She said Ataga again requested more loud on June 15, 2021, but asked her to pay because he could not transfer funds.

“After struggling to reach him due to an issue with the okro soup I went to buy, I returned to the apartment and found him dead,” she stated.

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

“In panic, I wiped the blood off my body, changed clothes, and packed my things, including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson.

“I also took some jewellery and left the apartment in a cab.”

After listening, the court adjourned the case until April 28 for the continuation of the trial.