Ataga murder case update: Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level student at the University of Lagos, who is facing trial for the alleged murder of Super TV CEO Michael Ataga, testified on Monday before a Lagos State High Court that she did not report the incident to the police out of fear of being wrongly accused.
Speaking before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Tafawa Balewa Square division of the court, Chidinma explained that her hesitation was due to past reports where individuals were blamed after reporting crimes. She also admitted that she had considered informing the apartment’s gateman but ended the call due to anxiety.
Chidinma, along with co-defendants Adedapo Quadri and her sister Chioma Egbuchu, is facing a nine-count charge that includes murder, theft, and forgery. She began presenting her defense on April 17, 2025, and recounted the events surrounding Ataga’s death in June 2021. According to her testimony, although she saw Ataga lying motionless in a pool of blood, she noticed that his WhatsApp account was still active. Attempts to reach him by phone failed, leading her to suspect that someone else might have had his phone.
Chidinma said she contacted the property’s gateman, Abu, who initially claimed Ataga had left the premises. However, Abu later confirmed that Ataga’s vehicle was still there. She then messaged Ataga, apologizing and asking for forgiveness, stating, “I didn’t mean to leave you in that state. I was very scared,” after which she was blocked from his number.
Chidinma further testified that on June 18, 2021, she took two laptops—an HP and a MacBook—to Computer Village for repair and to sell the MacBook. She claimed the MacBook was a gift and sold it for ₦495,000. On June 20, she contacted her sister Chioma, who arrived in Lagos on June 22. Since Chioma had lost her phone in April, Chidinma gave her an old iPhone 7 Plus.
Still on Ataga murder case update
Chidinma recalled being arrested by the police on June 23, 2021, stating that both she and her father were handcuffed and taken to Panti. She told the court that she fled the crime scene out of fear and denied possessing any of Ataga’s belongings. She also claimed that a police officer, Bamidele, brought her a blank statement form and asked her to write a statement without legal representation. When she insisted on having a lawyer present, she alleged that Bamidele threatened to arrest her family, including her 10-year-old sister.
Chidinma said Bamidele tore up her initial statement and forced her to write another one after showing her images from the crime scene. She denied that a robe used to tie the deceased belonged to her, stating, “I told him I couldn’t have tied Michael up. He was a huge man.” The trial is ongoing as the court continues to hear further testimony and evidence in this high-profile case that has attracted significant public attention since 2021.
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