Chidinma Ojukwu, the University of Lagos undergraduate accused of murdering Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, gave a chilling testimony before a Lagos High Court on Thursday, detailing how she discovered Ataga’s lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Tafawa Balewa Square court, Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student, opened her defence by describing the events leading up to the tech executive’s death. According to her, she had stepped out to buy food and drinks and returned to find the apartment door unlocked. Upon entering, she saw blood on the floor and Ataga lying motionless in a pool of blood.
“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she recounted. “His eyes were half-shut and he had no pulse.”
Led in evidence by her defence counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Ojukwu elaborated on her relationship with Ataga, which she said began in November 2020. She said they met through a mutual friend named Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s associate, James.
Describing Ataga as kind and supportive, Chidinma claimed he paid her tuition and also assisted in funding her cosmetics business. She further revealed that Ataga told her he was originally from Edo State, lived in Victoria Garden City (VGC), worked in the media industry, and had three children with his estranged wife based in Abuja.
According to her testimony, Ataga had contacted her on June 13, 2021, expressing a desire to spend time with her ahead of his birthday and an upcoming trip to Abuja. Due to ongoing renovations at his VGC residence, he asked her to secure a short-let apartment for their meeting.
She booked a unit at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, and they met there that evening. They dined at Angle Villa restaurant, bought wine, and returned to the apartment, where they smoked and drank together.
The next day, June 14, Ojukwu said Ataga gave her ₦15,000 to purchase loud (a street name for cannabis) and rohypnol. Later, he sent another ₦25,000 for food. She reportedly spent two hours out due to COVID-related restrictions.
On June 15, Ataga again requested more cannabis, this time asking Ojukwu to cover the cost as he was unable to transfer funds. He also gave her money for food and juice. Unable to reach him to confirm his meal preference, she returned to the apartment and discovered his body.
“I saw blood stains on the floor and pushed the door open. I found Michael lying in a pool of blood. I checked for a pulse—there was none,” she said, visibly emotional.
In a state of panic, Ojukwu said she cleaned the blood off herself, changed clothes, and gathered her belongings—including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, identification cards, and documents linked to a woman named Mary Johnson. She also admitted to taking some of Ataga’s jewellery before leaving the scene in a cab.
Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until April 28, 2025, when Ojukwu is expected to conclude her testimony and the trial will resume.
