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Tag: Chidinma Ojukwu

  • Trial of Chidinma Ojukwu resumes in the Ataga murder case

    Trial of Chidinma Ojukwu resumes in the Ataga murder case

    The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the death of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, resumed on Tuesday at the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square.

    During her testimony, Ojukwu expressed regret over Ataga’s death.

    Ojukwu is standing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri on charges of murder, conspiracy, and theft.

    During cross-examination by the prosecution, led by Barrister Y. A. Sule, Ojukwu was questioned about the phones and MacBook found in her possession at the time of her arrest and her knowledge of how such devices operate.

    She faced allegations of taking Ataga’s gadgets after his death. Reports indicate that Ojukwu and Ataga were staying together in a short-let apartment in Lagos, where his body was later found.

    The prosecution presented two receipts from Phone Hub, showing that Ojukwu swapped her iPhone and sold her MacBook Pro for ₦495,000.

    She denied prior knowledge of the documents but admitted visiting the outlet to sell her MacBook.

    The defence counsel, Barrister Onwuka Egwu, objected to the documents, arguing they were not previously disclosed. However, Justice Adesanya overruled the objection and admitted the receipts as evidence.

    Ojukwu told the court that the MacBook was a birthday gift and explained that the receipt was given by the person who gifted it to her. 

    She also denied being the last person to see Ataga alive or leaving the apartment with his devices. When asked about her feelings regarding Ataga’s death, she said, “I regret that he died.”

    Under further questioning by her defence team, Ojukwu revealed she was a 300-level Mass Communication student before her arrest and had no expertise in information technology.

    She is the first defence witness, with her legal team indicating they plan to call about four witnesses, while the prosecution had earlier called over ten.

    The case, which began in 2021, is now in its fifth year. The court adjourned to February 9, 10, 17, and 23, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

  • Ataga trusted me with his belongings, says Chidinma

    Ataga trusted me with his belongings, says Chidinma

    The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the first defendant in the alleged murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Usifo Ataga, continued before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Annex, yesterday.

    At the resumed hearing, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Yusuf Sule, continued his cross-examination of Ojukwu, who is standing trial alongside two co-defendants focused on her earlier claims regarding the ownership and sales of the late Atage’s devices, including a MacBook and several IPhones

    During questioning, Ojukwu reiterated that the late Ataga trusted her with his personal belongings whenever they met.

    She said the deceased was in possession of his iPhone and MacBook during their meetings, but maintained that some of the devices recovered as exhibits were hers.

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    When asked to account for receipts of the items, Ojukwu told the court that although the police listed the receipt for the MacBook in the exhibit file, it was never tendered in court. She explained that she initially thought she had misplaced the receipt, but later obtained a replacement from the vendor, UC Best Computers.

    She further admitted that she sold the MacBook on June 18, 2021 – two days after Ataga’s body was discovered – at the cost of N495,000, claiming she was unaware of his death at the time. She also confirmed giving an iPhone 7 to her sister shortly after the incident.

    Pressed by the prosecution on why she did not notify the police, her family, or anyone else after Ataga’s death despite being the last person seen with him, Ojukwu told the court she was scared, and denied taking any of the deceased belongings or transferring money from his account.

    The defendant also acknowledged making two statements to the police—one written by the Investigating Police Officer and another dictated to her—but claimed that portions of the statements were not accurate.

    Tension briefly rose in the courtroom when she was shown a photograph of the deceased and asked to identify him. “Mr. Ataga,” she responded quietly.

    After the prosecution paused the day’s cross examination, Justice Adesanya adjourned the matter till November 25 for continuation of trial