The prime suspect in the death of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, Chidinma Ojukwu, on Thursday told a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square how she discovered his lifeless body in a pool of blood on June 15, 2021.
While being led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma, a former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, shared an emotional account of what transpired on the day she allegedly found Ataga dead inside a short-let apartment in Lekki.
“I came back from buying food and juice, knocked several times but got no response,” she told the court. “When I pushed the door open, I saw blood on the floor. Michael was lying on the floor in a pool of blood. I dropped everything I was holding and rushed to him. His eyes were half open, and there was no pulse.”
Chidinma stated that her relationship with Ataga began in November 2020 after they met through a mutual friend named Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James. She described the late media executive as generous and supportive, saying he had paid her tuition and also assisted in her cosmetics business.
Revealing more about Ataga’s personal life, Chidinma said he resided at Victoria Garden City (VGC), had three children, and was separated from his wife who lives in Abuja.
She narrated that Ataga had invited her to spend time with him ahead of his birthday, since renovations were ongoing at his VGC home. They agreed to stay at a short-let apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki.
According to her, the pair checked in on June 13, 2021, went out to eat at Ango Villa restaurant, bought wine, and returned to the apartment, where they drank, smoked, and spent the night together.
On June 14, Chidinma said Ataga gave her money to buy “loud” (a type of cannabis) and rohypnol. “He sent N15,000 for the drugs and another N25,000 for food,” she said, adding that she returned two hours later due to COVID-related delays.
She also recalled that on June 15, Ataga made another request for cannabis and food. However, because of banking issues, he asked her to pay upfront.
She testified, “He gave me money for food and juice. There was a delay with the okro soup he requested, and I returned late. When I got back, I saw bloodstains and his body on the floor.”
Panicked, she said she cleaned herself up, changed her clothes, and packed her belongings. She also admitted to taking a brown envelope that contained Ataga’s bank statements, identification cards, and some documents belonging to a woman named Mary Johnson. In addition, she left with some of Ataga’s jewelry and boarded a cab out of the scene.
Chidinma’s account contrasts earlier testimonies from law enforcement officers. In a related development, a police witness had previously told the court that DNA tests matched blood found on Chidinma’s dress to Ataga’s.
The trial has been adjourned till April 28, 2025, for further hearing.
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