Super TV CEO’s Death: Chidinma Opens defence
Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO, Michael Ataga, on Thursday, narrated how she discovered his lifeless body in a Lekki short-let apartment on June 15, 2021.
Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, narrated this before a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square.
She is standing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri, for the murder of Ataga.
The defendants were arraigned on Oct. 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government.
Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing while her sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
At the resumed trial on Thursday, Ojukwu, opened her defence before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.
She was led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr Onwuka Egwu, and narrated her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020.
She told the court that she met Ataga through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James.
Ojukwu described Ataga as kind and supportive, adding that he had once paid her school fees and supported her cosmetics business.
She said Ataga told her he was from Edo State, lived in Victoria Garden City (VGC), and was in the media industry.
Ojukwu also said Ataga told her that he had three children with his estranged wife who lived in Abuja.
According to Chidinma, on June 13, 2021, Ataga called her and told her that his birthday was coming up that week.
She said he invited her to spend the time with him before he would head to Abuja for a family celebration.
“Due to some renovations at his VGC home, he suggested getting a hotel or an apartment in Lekki, where he had meetings.
“I eventually found a short-let apartment at 19, Adewale St., off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved.
“We met there that evening and went out to eat at Ango Villa restaurant. We picked up wine, then returned to the apartment to drink, eat, and smoke,” she narrated.
She also narrated how they spent their day on June 14, 2021.
According to her, they woke up late that day. Ataga asked her to contact her loud (cannabis) and rohypnol supplier.
She said Ataga transferred N15,000 to her for narcotics and gave her N25,000 for food.
Ojukwu said she spent about two hours buying meals due to COVID-related delay.
On June 15, 2021, she said, Ataga again requested for more loud, but asked her to pay because he could not transfer funds.
She said he also gave her money to buy food and juice.
“After struggling to reach him due to an issue with the okro soup I went to buy, I returned to the apartment and found him dead.
“I saw blood stains, pushed the door open, and saw Michael on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse, but there was none.”
“In panic, I wiped the blood off my body, changed clothes, and packed my things including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson.
“I also took some jewelry and left the apartment in a cab,” she said.
After listening, the court adjourned the case until April 28, for continuation of trial.
Super TV CEO’s Death: Chidinma Opens defence is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
