Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer Michael Ataga, on Thursday, told a Lagos High how she discovered Ataga’s lifeless body in a Lekki short-let apartment on June 15, 2021.
Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, the former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos stated that she had returned from buying food and juice, knocked on the flat door, and when there was no response, pushed it open to find blood on the floor and Ataga lying in a pool of blood.
“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she said. “His eyes were half-shut, and he had no pulse.”
Chidinma is on trial for murder, conspiracy to murder, and theft, along with co-defendants Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu.
Chidinma outlined her relationship with Ataga, which she said began in November 2020 through a common acquaintance, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s buddy, James. Her counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, led the evidence.
She described Ataga as nice and supportive, noting that he paid her school expenses and financially backed her cosmetics business, Unseal Zone International, on Murtala Mohammed Way.
She informed the court that Ataga was from Edo State, lived in Victoria Garden City, worked in the media industry, and had three children with his estranged wife, who resided in Abuja.
Chidinma explained that on June 13, 2021, while cooking at home, she received a call from Ataga.
After exchanging niceties, he informed her that his birthday was on Friday and encouraged her to spend time with him before a scheduled family celebration.
According to her, Ataga stated that he would travel to Abuja to celebrate with his family but wanted to do so secretly with her first, and she consented.
“He said the house at VGC was under construction and unavailable. I asked where we would go, and he suggested a hotel or apartment. I said he should be able to get one easily at VGC, but he preferred Lekki because of meetings he had scheduled,” she said.
Chidinma added that Ataga preferred an apartment to a hotel for a more homely feel and asked her to search for one.
“I couldn’t find a suitable apartment, but later, he sent me the address of one on 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki,” she testified.
Chidinma mentioned that she arrived at the apartment around 6 p.m. on June 13 and was eventually joined by Ataga.
“When I arrived, I didn’t see anyone around. I knocked on what looked like a security post but got no response. I texted Michael that I had arrived. He asked me to wait. Shortly after, a short man with a Northern accent arrived and introduced himself as Abu,” she said.
He showed her the flat, which she inspected before calling Ataga to confirm its suitability.
Ataga joined her shortly after, and they headed to Ango Villa restaurant to eat and get takeaway.
She claimed they also purchased wine before returning to the flat to eat, drink and smoke.
On June 14, she stated that they awoke late, and Ataga asked her to get ready so they could go out to eat.
“He said he had only one stick of loud (cannabis) left and asked if I had a supplier. I said yes and contacted Quadri, asking him to deliver the loud and Rohypnol. I sent him the location,” she said, adding that Ataga sent her N15,000 for the loud and later N25,000 for food.
She mentioned that she was out for about two hours buying food due to COVID-related delays.
Furthermore, she added that the next day, June 15, Ataga again requested cocaine but asked Chidinma to pay, as he was unable to make a transfer. “He also gave her money to buy food and juice,” she said.
“After some difficulty getting okro soup and failing to reach him, I returned to the apartment and found him dead,” she told the court.
“I saw blood on the floor and pushed the door open. Michael was lying on the ground, covered in blood, his eyes half-shut. I dropped everything and rushed to him.”
She stated that she examined his chest for a pulse but found none.
In a frenzy, she wiped blood from her arm, put on a black top over her red blouse, and packed her stuff.
“I stood there thinking of what to do but couldn’t come up with anything. I took my blood-stained bag, clothes from the wardrobe, jewellery from the TV stand, and a brown envelope.
“I left the room with the food I had bought and sat on the stairs. I called the cab that dropped me off earlier and waited. When he called to say he was at the gate, I put on the black top over the red one, kept my head down, and entered the car.”
She informed the court that when she went home, she opened the packet and discovered documents such as Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, business cards, and one carrying the name Mary Johnson.
Chidinma also mentioned that one of the cards could have been a driver’s licence or a voter’s card, but she couldn’t tell.
Following her testimony, Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until April 28, 2025, to continue the trial.
Chidinma faces charges alongside Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu.
