Chidinma denies discussing Ataga’s death with co-defendant as court admits more evidence

Chidinma denies discussing Ataga’s death with co-defendant as court admits more evidence

LAGOS — A former University of Lagos student, Chidinma Ojukwu, on Monday told a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square that she never discussed the death of Super TV CEO, Michael Ataga, with her co-defendant, Adedapo Quadri.

Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student at the time of the incident, made the statement during cross-examination by Quadri’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, who sought to establish his client’s level of involvement in the alleged murder.

Standing trial alongside Quadri and a third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, Ojukwu faces eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession, while Egbuchu is charged with stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7.

Ojukwu told the court that her interactions with Quadri were limited to the supply of “Loud” (a form of cannabis) and Rohypnol, as well as assistance in producing her school identity card.

“I never had any discussion with Adedapo Quadri about the death of Ataga,” she said. “He never visited me at the apartment. I only called him to supply Loud and Rohypnol after Ataga said he had just one stick left.”

She admitted to taking a brown envelope from the apartment, which she said contained Ataga’s personal documents, including his driver’s licence, ID card, bank statements, and an international passport belonging to one Mary Johnson.

READ ALSO:

• Four killed in Cameroon protests as 92-year-old Paul Biya re-elected president
• Nigerian stars shine across Europe as league football resumes
• 3,000 Nigerian products get UK tariff relief

“When the police came to my house at No. 57, Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, I told DSP Olusegun Bamidele that I took the envelope home by mistake,” she said.

Earlier in the proceedings, Ojukwu’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, reminded the court of his previous attempt to tender letters related to items released on bond to the nominal complainant. The prosecution, represented by Mr Yusuf Sule, claimed it had not seen the documents.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya ruled that the letter dated October 29, 2021, addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and duly acknowledged, was admissible. She also admitted other letters addressed to the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and the Inspector-General of Police, along with Ojukwu’s handwritten letter appointing Egwu as her counsel.

Following the ruling, Egwu tendered several electronic devices through Ojukwu, including an iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and a silver 2019 MacBook Pro. Ojukwu identified the items, stating that the iPhone 7 Plus belonged to her sister, while the other devices were hers.

Justice Adesanya adjourned the case to November 6 for continuation of trial.

The prosecution alleges that Ojukwu and Quadri conspired to murder Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him multiple times at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The defendants were first arraigned on October 12, 2021.

Chidinma denies discussing Ataga’s death with co-defendant as court admits more evidence