The Lagos High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, will resume the trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, who is accused of murdering Michael Usifo Ataga, the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, on October 15, 2024.
Ojukwu is being prosecuted alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and Adedapo Quadri, for the murder of Ataga, which occurred on June 15, 2021, at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government.
The prosecution, led by the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, has called 11 witnesses so far, including Dr. Richard Somiari, a forensic expert who testified that the DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched the victim’s DNA. Somiari, a director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, told the court that he had practiced forensics for 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.
During cross-examination by the defense counsel, Somiari revealed that not all forensic reports were tested, including samples from the crime scene. He also stated that the DNA on the red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga, but did not match that of Chidinma and the other suspects, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.
The defense counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, requested a video of the crime scene to be played in court, which was granted. The video showed the crime scene and the location where the victim’s body was found.
The trial has been ongoing since October 2021, and the prosecution is seeking to link the defendants to the crime scene and the victim through forensic evidence. The case has garnered significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the involvement of a university student. The trial’s outcome will be closely watched as it unfolds.
