Chidinma Recounts Discovery of Super TV CEO Ataga’s Body in Court Testimony

Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, on Wednesday, April 17, told a Lagos High Court how she discovered Ataga’s lifeless body in a Lekki short-let apartment.

Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Tafawa Balewa Square annex, Chidinma, a former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, narrated that she had returned to the apartment after buying food and juice, but received no response after knocking repeatedly. She said she pushed the door open and was met with a disturbing scene.

“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she said emotionally. “His eyes were half-shut and there was no pulse.”

Under the guidance of her counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma recounted her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020 through a mutual friend. She described Ataga as generous, stating he paid her tuition and supported her business.

She told the court that Ataga, a father of three from Edo State, had invited her to spend time with him ahead of his birthday on June 13, 2021, due to renovations at his Victoria Garden City residence. They agreed to stay at a rented apartment on 19 Adewale Street, Lekki.

Chidinma said they spent the evening eating and drinking after visiting a restaurant. The next day, June 14, she claimed Ataga requested cannabis and rohypnol, for which he transferred N15,000 and later N25,000 for food. On June 15, he again asked for more cannabis but could not make a transfer, asking her to cover the cost.

Upon returning from running errands that day, she testified that she found the apartment in disarray.

“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 panic, she said she cleaned herself up, changed clothes, and packed her belongings — including Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, documents, some jewellery, and a brown envelope — before leaving in a cab.

Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until April 28, 2025, for continuation of trial.