Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, on Thursday told a Lagos High Court how she discovered his lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Tafawa Balewa Square courtroom, the former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos said she had returned from buying food and juice when she found Ataga dead.
“I knocked several times but got no response. I pushed the door open and saw blood on the floor… Michael was lying in it. His eyes were half-open, and I couldn’t find a pulse,” she said, appearing emotional.
A Timeline of Events
Led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma narrated her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020 through a mutual friend. She described Ataga as kind and supportive, claiming he paid her tuition and assisted her cosmetics business.
She testified that Ataga, who lived in Victoria Garden City, Lagos, was separated from his wife in Abuja and had three children.
According to Chidinma, on June 13, 2021, Ataga informed her about his upcoming birthday and invited her to spend time with him before he left for Abuja. Due to renovations at his residence, he opted for a short-let apartment in Lekki, which Chidinma helped arrange.
They met at the apartment located at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road. That night, they dined at Ango Villa restaurant and later returned to the apartment to eat, drink, and smoke.
The following day, June 14, Ataga allegedly asked her to get cannabis (“loud”) and rohypnol, sending N15,000 for the substances and another N25,000 for food. She said she was gone for nearly two hours due to COVID-related service delays.
On June 15, Chidinma said Ataga requested more cannabis but couldn’t make a bank transfer, so she paid. He also gave her cash for food and juice. A delay in getting the okro soup he requested made her return later than expected—only to walk into a grisly scene.
“I saw blood stains, pushed the door open, and found Michael on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse — there was none,” she said.
What She Took from the Scene
In a state of panic, Chidinma said she cleaned up, changed her clothes, and packed her belongings, including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to a woman named Mary Johnson. She also admitted to taking jewelry before leaving in a cab.
The court adjourned the case until April 28, 2025, for continuation of trial.
