Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, on Thursday narrated to a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square how she discovered his lifeless body inside a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.
Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, gave a detailed account of the events before Justice Yetunde Adesanya during her testimony. She explained that after stepping out to buy food and juice, she returned to the apartment and knocked several times but got no response. Eventually, she pushed the door open, only to be confronted by a disturbing scene.
“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she said emotionally. “His eyes were half-shut and there was no pulse.”
The defendant, who was led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, told the court about her relationship with Ataga, which she said began in November 2020. According to her, they met through a mutual friend named Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James.
Describing Ataga as kind and generous, she said he had supported her financially, including helping her with tuition fees and assisting her in establishing a cosmetics business. She revealed that Ataga, a media executive from Edo State who lived in Victoria Garden City, Lagos, had three children with his estranged wife who resided in Abuja.
Ojukwu said that on June 13, 2021, Ataga told her about his forthcoming birthday and invited her to spend time with him before he would travel to Abuja for a family function.
“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.
She explained that she found a suitable apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road in Lekki, which Ataga approved. They met there that evening, went to Ango Villa restaurant for dinner, bought wine, and returned to the apartment, where they ate, drank, and smoked.
The next day, June 14, they woke up late. Ojukwu said Ataga asked her to reach out to her supplier for ‘loud’ — a strain of cannabis — and rohypnol, a sedative. He sent N15,000 for the substances and later transferred an additional N25,000 for food. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and delays, she said she was away for about two hours sourcing the meals.
According to her, on the morning of June 15, Ataga asked for more cannabis but told her to pay for it herself as he couldn’t make a bank transfer at the time. He also gave her money to buy food and juice. She encountered some delays in getting the food, particularly because of a mix-up involving the okro soup Ataga had requested.
Upon returning to the apartment, Ojukwu said she was met with a shocking sight.
“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.”
Panicked, she said she wiped off blood from herself, changed her clothes, and gathered her belongings. Among the items she packed was a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson. She also took some pieces of jewellery before leaving the apartment in a cab.
The matter was adjourned till April 28, 2025, for the continuation of trial.
