A former University of Lagos student, Chidinma Ojukwu, on Monday, told the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square 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, said her interactions with Quadri were limited to the purchase of “Loud”—a type of cannabis—and Rohypnol, as well as his assistance in producing her school identity card.
She said, “I never had any discussion with Adedapo Quadri about the death of Mr. Ataga. The only transactions we had were for the supply of Loud and Rohypnol. He also helped me produce my school ID card.”
Ojukwu and Quadri are standing trial alongside a third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, Ojukwu’s sister, on a nine-count charge filed by the Lagos State Government.
The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021.
While Ojukwu and Quadri face eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, Egbuchu is charged with stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7.
During Monday’s proceedings, Ojukwu insisted that Quadri was unaware of her activities with Ataga at the short-let apartment in Lekki, where the Super TV CEO was killed on June 15, 2021.
She said, “Quadri didn’t know anything that happened between me and Mr. Ataga at the apartment. 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.”
Ojukwu also admitted taking a brown envelope from the apartment when she left, explaining that it contained Ataga’s personal documents and those belonging to another individual, Mary Johnson.
She said, “I took the brown envelope when I was leaving the apartment. It contained Mr. Ataga’s ID card, office complimentary cards, a driving licence, his Access Bank statement, a passport belonging to Mary Johnson, and UBA statements of account.”
She told the court that she had informed police officers during interrogation at her Yaba residence that she took the envelope by mistake.
She said, “When the police came to my house at No. 57 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, I told DSP Olusegun Bamidele that I mistakenly took the envelope home.”
The defendant further clarified that she personally obtained her passport and that another individual—not Quadri—assisted in securing her driving licence and other documents.
She added, “My conversation with Quadri on the phone was only about Loud and Rohypnol.”
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Yusuf Sule, announced his appearance, while Mr. Onwuka Egwu represented Ojukwu and M.A. Abiabasi appeared for Egbuchu.
Egwu reminded the court that he had previously sought to tender several letters, which the prosecution had objected to.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya directed him to proceed with tendering the documents.
The court admitted four letters in evidence, including one dated October 29, 2021, addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and acknowledged by the office.
The judge ruled the letters admissible, including those addressed to the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and the Inspector-General of Police.
Justice Adesanya also admitted Ojukwu’s handwritten letter appointing Egwu as her counsel, ruling that the prosecution’s objection was overruled for lack of merit.
Following the ruling, Egwu tendered several devices through Ojukwu, including an iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and a silver 2019 MacBook Pro.
Ojukwu identified the gadgets, saying, “The iPhone 7 Plus belongs to my sister, while the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and MacBook Pro are mine. I sold the MacBook to a vendor.”
Justice Adesanya adjourned the case to November 6, 2025, for continuation of trial