Former University of Lagos student Chidinma Ojukwu on Monday told the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) that she never discussed the death of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, with her co-defendant, Adedapo Quadri.
Ojukwu, a former 300-level Mass Communication student, is standing trial alongside Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, over Ataga’s killing on June 15, 2021, at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
While being cross-examined by Quadri’s counsel, Babatunde Busari, Ojukwu insisted that her only interactions with Quadri were limited to the supply of “Loud” (a strain of cannabis) and Rohypnol, as well as his assistance in producing her school identity card.
“I never had any discussion with Adedapo Quadri about the death of Mr. Ataga,” Ojukwu told the court.
“Our only transactions were for the supply of Loud and Rohypnol, and he also helped me produce my school ID card.”
The Lagos State Government had, on October 12, 2021, arraigned Ojukwu, Quadri, and Egbuchu on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stealing. Ojukwu and Quadri face eight counts related to Ataga’s killing, while Egbuchu is charged with theft of Ataga’s iPhone 7.
‘Quadri Knew Nothing About What Happened at the Apartment’
Ojukwu maintained that Quadri was unaware of her private dealings with Ataga during their stay at the short-let apartment in Lekki, where the businessman was later found dead.
“Quadri didn’t know anything that happened between me and Mr. Ataga at the apartment,” she said.
“He never visited me there throughout my stay. I only called him to supply Loud and Rohypnol after Mr. Ataga said he had just one stick left.”
She also admitted taking a brown envelope from the apartment when she left, explaining that it contained several personal documents belonging to Ataga and a woman identified as Mary Johnson.
“The envelope contained Mr. Ataga’s ID card, complimentary cards, driver’s licence, Access Bank statement, a passport belonging to Mary Johnson, and UBA statements,” she testified.
“I told DSP Olusegun Bamidele at my residence in Yaba that I took the envelope mistakenly.”
Ojukwu further clarified that she personally obtained her passport, while another person — not Quadri — helped her secure her driver’s licence and other documents.
“My conversations with Quadri on the phone were only about Loud and Rohypnol,” she emphasized.
Court Admits Ojukwu’s Letters and Devices in Evidence
Earlier, prosecution counsel Yusuf Sule appeared for the state, while Onwuka Egwu represented Ojukwu, and M.A. Abiabasi appeared for Egbuchu.
Egwu reminded the court that he had previously sought to tender certain letters which the prosecution objected to, including one dated October 29, 2021, addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, requesting the production of items released on bond to the nominal complainant.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, after hearing both sides, admitted the letters into evidence, ruling that the documents were properly before the court and admissible.
The court also admitted additional 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.
“The maker of this document is relevant, and the relevance is therefore as relevant as relevance can be,” Justice Adesanya held, overruling the prosecution’s objection.
Following the ruling, Ojukwu identified several devices tendered through her, including an iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and a 2019 silver MacBook Pro.
“The iPhone 7 Plus belongs to my sister, while the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and MacBook are mine. I later sold the MacBook to a vendor,” she said.
Justice Adesanya subsequently adjourned the case to November 6, 2025, for continuation of trial.
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