Gruesome Discovery: Chidinma Ojukwu Narrates How She Found Super TV CEO Ataga Dead in Lekki Apartment
By Safiyat Muhammed, Lagos
Slug: chidinma-ojukwu-testifies-super-tv-ceo-murder-case
In a chilling courtroom testimony that has reignited nationwide attention, Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the high-profile murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, on Thursday recounted the harrowing moment she discovered his lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki, Lagos State as reported Punch Newspaper.
Speaking at the Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, told Justice Yetunde Adesanya that she found Ataga dead in a pool of blood after returning from a food errand on June 15, 2021.
“I dropped everything and rushed to him. His eyes were half-shut and he had no pulse,” she testified.
Chidinma, who is standing trial for murder, conspiracy to murder, and theft, is being tried alongside Adedapo Quadri and her sister Chioma Egbuchu.
Timeline of Events Leading to Ataga’s Death
Led in evidence by her counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma detailed her acquaintance with Ataga, whom she said she met in November 2020 through a mutual friend, Fiyin. According to her, Ataga had been financially supportive—paying her tuition and investing in her cosmetics business, Unseal Zone International, based along Murtala Mohammed Way.
She described Ataga as a father of three, originally from Edo State, and said he resided in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos, while his estranged wife lived in Abuja.
Chidinma narrated that on June 13, 2021, Ataga invited her to spend time with him privately ahead of his birthday, which he planned to celebrate later with his family in Abuja.
“He said the house in VGC was under renovation and unavailable. He opted for a short-let apartment in Lekki instead,” she explained.
He later sent her an address—19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki. She arrived there at about 6 p.m. and was shown the apartment by a man named Abu, who spoke with a Northern accent. Ataga joined her shortly after, and they went to Ango Villa Restaurant to dine and buy takeout food and wine.
Drug Use and the Final Moments
On June 14, Chidinma said Ataga requested loud (a strain of cannabis) and Rohypnol and sent her N15,000 for procurement, later transferring an additional N25,000 for food. She contacted her supplier, Quadri, who delivered the drugs to their location.
On June 15, Ataga allegedly asked for cocaine but was unable to make a transfer, prompting Chidinma to pay instead. He also gave her money to buy food and juice.
She recounted being delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions while sourcing okro soup, and upon her return, she found the apartment door unresponsive to knocks.
“I pushed the door open and saw blood on the floor. Michael was lying face-up, soaked in blood. His chest was still. I panicked,” she said.
In a state of shock, she cleaned blood from her arm, changed her blouse, and began packing her belongings, including a blood-stained bag, clothes, jewelry, and a brown envelope.
“I took the food I had bought and sat on the stairs. When the cab driver called, I covered my red blouse with a black top, lowered my head, and quietly exited the building.”
Discovery of Ataga’s Personal Documents
After reaching home, Chidinma said she opened the brown envelope and discovered multiple items: Ataga’s bank statements, identity cards, business cards, and a mysterious document with the name Mary Johnson. She added that one of the cards could have been a driver’s license or voter’s card, though she was unsure.
Next Court Hearing
Justice Adesanya adjourned the trial until April 28, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing.
The courtroom revelations, involving high-value individuals, illicit drug use, and a tragic end, continue to draw public interest and media scrutiny—especially amid Nigeria’s intensifying conversations around youth involvement in cybercrime, substance abuse, and moral decay in urban centers.
