Former University of Lagos student, Chidinma Ojukwu, yesterday told the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square that she never discussed the death of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, with her co-defendant, Adedapo Quadri.
Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student, made the denial during cross-examination by Quadri’s counsel, Babatunde Busari, insisting that her only dealings with the second defendant were limited to the supply of Loud (a form of cannabis) and Rohypnol, as well as assistance in producing her school identity card.
“I never had any discussion with Adedapo Quadri about the death of Mr. Ataga. The only transactions we had were for the supply of Loud and Rohypnol. He also helped me produce my school ID card,” Ojukwu told the court.
Ojukwu and Quadri are standing trial alongside a third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stealing, filed by the Lagos State Government. While Ojukwu and Quadri face eight counts related to the murder and stabbing of Ataga, Egbuchu is charged with stealing his iPhone 7.
The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, over the alleged murder of Ataga, who was found dead on June 15, 2021, at a short-let apartment located at 19 Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
During the resumed hearing, Ojukwu maintained that Quadri was unaware of her activities with Ataga at the apartment.
“Quadri didn’t know anything that happened between me and Mr. Ataga at the apartment,” she said.
“He never visited me there throughout my stay. I only called him to supply Loud and Rohypnol after Mr. Ataga said he had just one stick of Loud left.”
Ojukwu admitted taking a brown envelope from the apartment when she left, explaining that it contained personal documents belonging to Ataga and one Mary Johnson.
“I took the brown envelope when I was leaving the apartment,” she said, identifying its contents as Ataga’s driver’s licence, ID card, office complimentary cards, Access Bank statement, and an international passport belonging to Mary Johnson.
She told the court that she informed the police during interrogation at her Yaba residence that she had taken the envelope by mistake.
“When the police came to my house at 57 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, I told DSP Olusegun Bamidele that I mistakenly took the envelope home,” she testified.
Ojukwu further clarified that she obtained her own international passport by herself, while another person not Quadri assisted her in getting her driver’s licence and other documents.
Earlier, prosecution counsel Yusuf Sule announced his appearance, while Onwuka Egwu represented Ojukwu and M.A. Abiabasi appeared for Egbuchu.
Egwu reminded the court of his earlier request to tender certain letters which the prosecution had objected to. He said he had written to the prosecution on October 29, 2021, requesting the production of items released on bond to the nominal complainant. Sule, however, denied knowledge of such correspondence.
After hearing both parties, Justice Yetunde Adesanya directed Egwu to tender the letters. The court admitted four letters in evidence, including one dated October 29, 2021, addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and acknowledged by the office.
“The letter is properly before the court and is therefore admissible in evidence,” Justice Adesanya ruled.
The court also admitted letters addressed to the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and the Inspector-General of Police, as well as Ojukwu’s handwritten letter appointing Egwu as her counsel.
Overruling the prosecution’s objection, the judge held: “The maker of this document is relevant, and the relevance is therefore as relevant as relevance can be. The objection is overruled, and I so hold.”
Following the ruling, Egwu tendered an iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and a MacBook Pro through Ojukwu. The defendant identified the devices, saying the iPhone 7 Plus belonged to her sister, while the other gadgets were hers.
“The iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and the silver 2019 MacBook Pro are mine. I sold the MacBook to a vendor,” she said.
Justice Adesanya adjourned the case to November 6, 2025, for the continuation of trial.
