How I Found Usifo Ataga Dead – Chidinma Ojukwu

The prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO, Michael Usifo Ataga, Chidinma Ojukwu, on Thursday testified before a Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, detailing the moment she discovered his lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.

Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, recalled that she had stepped out to buy food and juice, and upon returning, she knocked on the door repeatedly without receiving a response.

She then pushed the door open and was met with a horrifying sight: blood on the floor and Ataga lying motionless in a pool of blood.

“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” Ojukwu emotionally recounted, stating that Ataga’s eyes were half-shut and there was no pulse.

In her testimony, led by her counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Ojukwu also spoke about her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020.

They met through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James. Ojukwu described Ataga as kind and supportive, noting that he had helped her pay her school fees and financed her cosmetics business.

She also revealed that Ataga, a media executive from Edo State, had three children with his estranged wife based in Abuja.

On June 13, 2021, Ojukwu said Ataga informed her of his upcoming birthday and invited her to spend time with him before traveling to Abuja for a family gathering.

Due to ongoing renovations at his Victoria Garden City (VGC) residence, Ataga suggested they book a hotel or short-let apartment in Lekki, where he had scheduled meetings. Ojukwu found an apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved.

The evening of June 13, they met at the apartment, dined at Ango Villa restaurant, bought wine, and returned to the apartment to eat, drink, and smoke cannabis.

The following morning, June 14, they woke up late, and Ataga allegedly asked her to contact her supplier for more cannabis and rohypnol, sending her N15,000 for the purchase and later N25,000 for food. Ojukwu was out for about two hours buying meals due to COVID-related restrictions and delays.

On June 15, Ojukwu testified that Ataga requested more cannabis but asked her to pay for it since he was unable to transfer funds. He also gave her money for food and juice. After a delay caused by a mix-up over the okro soup she was supposed to buy, Ojukwu returned to the apartment and discovered the scene of Ataga’s death.

“I saw blood stains, pushed the door open, and saw Michael on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse — there was none,” she said.

In a panic, Ojukwu said she cleaned blood off herself, changed clothes, and packed her belongings, including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson. She also took some jewelry before leaving the apartment in a cab.

The case was adjourned until April 28, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.