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, is standing trial alongside Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, for the alleged murder of Ataga on June 15, 2021, at a short-let apartment in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
During cross-examination by Quadri’s counsel, Babatunde Busari, Ojukwu maintained that her only interactions with Quadri were limited to the supply of “Loud”—a form 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,” she said. “The only transactions we had were for the supply of Loud and Rohypnol. He also helped me produce my school ID card.”
The 23-year-old defendant insisted that Quadri had no knowledge of her relationship or activities with the late Ataga during her stay at the Lekki apartment.
“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 of Loud left,” she explained.
Ojukwu also admitted that she took a brown envelope from the crime scene when she left the apartment but claimed it was a mistake.
“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 one Mary Johnson, and UBA account statements,” she told the court.
She said she voluntarily informed the police during interrogation at her Yaba residence that she had taken the envelope unintentionally.
The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, on a nine-count charge filed by the Lagos State Government. Ojukwu and Quadri are facing eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, while Egbuchu is charged with stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7.
During Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Yusuf Sule appeared for the state, while Onwuka Egwu represented Ojukwu and M.A. Abiabasi represented Egbuchu.
Egwu tendered several letters through Ojukwu, 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. The prosecution objected to the admissibility of the documents, arguing they were improperly presented.
However, Justice Yetunde Adesanya overruled the objection, ruling that the letters were admissible.
“The maker of this document is relevant, and its relevance makes it admissible. The objection is overruled,” the judge held.
The court also admitted other correspondences addressed to the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and the Inspector-General of Police, as well as Ojukwu’s handwritten letter appointing Egwu as her counsel.
Ojukwu further identified several electronic devices tendered in court, including an iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, and a 2019 MacBook Pro, stating that the MacBook had been sold to a vendor.
Justice Adesanya subsequently adjourned the matter to November 6, 2025, for the continuation of trial.
