Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Usifo Ataga, gave a detailed testimony on Thursday at the Lagos High Court, recounting the moment she discovered his lifeless body in a Lekki apartment in June 2021.
The former University of Lagos student, who opened her defence before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, described how she returned from an errand to find Ataga lying in a pool of blood at the short-let apartment on Adewale Street, Lekki.
“I knocked, got no response, then pushed the door open and saw blood everywhere,” Ojukwu told the court. “I rushed to him—his eyes were half-closed, and he had no pulse.”
Led in evidence by her lawyer Onwuka Egwu, the 25-year-old detailed her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020 through mutual friends. She described him as generous, claiming he paid her school fees and invested in her cosmetics business.
The defendant recounted their final days together, stating Ataga had invited her to celebrate his birthday week before traveling to Abuja. Due to renovations at his Victoria Garden City home, they booked the Lekki apartment where he often held meetings.
Ojukwu testified they dined at Angle Villa restaurant on June 13, returned with wine, and later consumed cannabis at Ataga’s request. She claimed he subsequently asked her to purchase more drugs and food on June 14-15, sending ₦15,000 and ₦25,000 respectively.
The court heard how Ojukwu panicked after discovering the body, wiping off blood, changing clothes, and taking Ataga’s documents and jewelry before fleeing in a taxi.
This testimony contradicts earlier police claims that Ojukwu admitted to spiking Ataga’s drink. The case has been adjourned to April 28 for her to conclude her defence.
The high-profile trial continues to draw public attention nearly four years after the media executive’s brutal killing.
