Picnews
The Lagos High Court heard a chilling recounting of the night Michael Usifo Ataga died, as Chidinma Ojukwu, the primary suspect, took the stand and said she “regrets” that the Super TV boss is no longer alive. Speaking under cross‑examination, Ojukwu maintained that she never intended for Ataga to lose his life, insisting that the encounter at the short‑let apartment in Lekki was meant to be a simple transaction—she had agreed to sell him a laptop and a phone, nothing more. Her voice trembled as she described how the situation spiraled out of control, though she stopped short of naming anyone else who might have been present.
Prosecutor Adewale Oguniyi pressed Ojukwu on the timeline, asking her to walk the court through the exact moments after Ataga’s body was discovered. She explained that after the alleged struggle, she fled the scene, leaving the apartment door ajar, and later met with her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, to discuss what had happened. Ojukwu claimed she was terrified, fearing that the police would assume she was responsible simply because she was the last person seen with the victim. Her defense team emphasized that there is no forensic evidence linking her directly to the fatal injuries.
The court also revisited the digital trail that has become a cornerstone of the case. Receipts from Phone Hub showed Ojukwu had swapped her iPhone for a newer model and sold a MacBook Pro—both items that Ataga had allegedly purchased from her. When the prosecution introduced these documents, Ojukwu’s lawyer, Lanre Ajayi, objected, arguing the receipts were never disclosed during pre‑trial disclosure. Justice Yetunde Adesanya overruled the objection, allowing the documents to be admitted as evidence of financial motive.
Witness testimony added another layer of intrigue. A neighbor who heard raised voices that night testified that the argument sounded heated but did not hear any physical altercation. Meanwhile, a forensic expert confirmed that the cause of death was blunt‑force trauma to the head, but could not determine whether it was accidental or deliberate. The expert’s report left the courtroom divided, with some jurors nodding at the possibility of an accidental fall, while others whispered about the likelihood of foul play.
The case has drawn widespread media attention, not only because of Ataga’s prominence in Nigeria’s entertainment industry but also due to the involvement of Ojukwu’s family. Her sister, Chioma, and a third defendant, Adedapo Quadri, have been charged alongside her for alleged conspiracy and theft. All three have pleaded not guilty, and their defense teams have repeatedly stressed that the prosecution’s case rests on circumstantial evidence and speculation.
As the trial enters its fifth year, the courtroom atmosphere remains tense. Justice Adesanya has urged both sides to present their evidence clearly and promptly, noting that the public’s right to a fair trial must be balanced with the need for closure for Ataga’s family. When asked if she felt any remorse beyond her earlier statement, Ojukwu simply replied, “I wish it had never happened,” leaving the jury to weigh her words against the mounting evidence as the hearing continues.
