Chidinma Tells Court How She Found Super TV CEO Dead

Chidinma Ojukwu, the main suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO, Michael Usifo Ataga, today, April 17, described how she found Ataga’s lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.

Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at a Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, the former 300-level Mass Communication student from the University of Lagos explained that she had returned from purchasing food and juice, knocked repeatedly without a response, then opened the door to discover blood on the floor and Ataga lying still in a pool of blood.

“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she recalled tearfully, noting that his eyes were half-closed and he had no pulse.

Guided by her lawyer, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma detailed her relationship with Ataga, which started in November 2020. She said they were introduced through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James. She portrayed Ataga as generous and supportive, stating he covered her school fees and assisted with funding her cosmetics business.

She explained that Ataga, originally from Edo State and living in Victoria Garden City, had three children with his estranged wife in Abuja. Chidinma told the court that on June 13, 2021, Ataga mentioned his upcoming birthday and invited her to spend time together before heading to Abuja for a family event.

“Due to ongoing renovations at his VGC residence, he suggested booking a hotel or short-let apartment in Lekki, where he had scheduled meetings,” she said.

Chidinma noted that she located a short-let apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved. She said they met there that evening, dined out at Ango Villa restaurant, purchased wine, and returned to the apartment to eat, drink, and smoke.

She informed the court that on June 14, they woke up late, and Ataga allegedly asked her to contact her supplier for ‘loud’ (cannabis) and rohypnol. She said he sent N15,000 for the purchase and later N25,000 for food. She was out for about two hours buying meals due to COVID-related restrictions and delays. She added that on June 15, Ataga requested more cannabis but asked her to pay since he couldn’t transfer funds.

He also provided money for food and juice. After a delay due to confusion over the okro soup she was tasked to buy, she returned to the apartment — only to encounter a shocking scene.

“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.”

In a state of panic, she said she wiped blood off herself, changed her clothes, and gathered her belongings, including a brown envelope with Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson. She also took some jewellery before leaving the apartment in a taxi.
April 17.

The trial was postponed until April 28, 2025, for further proceedings.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli