Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, on Thursday narrated before a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square how she discovered Ataga’s lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, the former 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos broke down her account of the events leading up to Ataga’s death.
Chidinma said she had gone out to buy food and juice, and when she returned to the apartment, she knocked repeatedly but got no response. She then pushed the door open and found blood on the floor and Ataga lying motionless.
“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she told the court emotionally. “His eyes were half-shut and there was no pulse.”
Led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma recounted her relationship with Ataga, which she said began in November 2020 through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James.
She described Ataga as kind and generous, stating that he paid her school fees and supported her cosmetics business.
Chidinma revealed that Ataga, a media executive from Edo State living in Victoria Garden City (VGC), had three children with his estranged wife, who resides in Abuja.
According to her, on June 13, 2021, Ataga invited her to spend time with him ahead of his birthday and a planned family trip to Abuja. Due to renovations at his home, they agreed to book a short-let apartment in Lekki.
She said she found a place at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved. They met there, went out for dinner at Ango Villa restaurant, bought wine, and returned to relax.
On June 14, she said Ataga asked her to reach out to her cannabis supplier for ‘loud’ and rohypnol, sending her ₦15,000 for the purchase and later ₦25,000 for food. She mentioned that due to COVID-19 restrictions, she was out for nearly two hours.
The following day, June 15, Chidinma said Ataga again requested cannabis and gave her money for food. Due to a mix-up over okro soup, she returned to the apartment only to walk into a tragic scene.
“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,” she testified.
In panic, she said she cleaned herself, changed clothes, and packed her belongings, including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson. She also took some jewelry before leaving the apartment in a cab.
The court adjourned the trial until April 28, 2025, for continuation.
