Why I Didn’t Report Ataga’s Death – Murder Suspect Chidinma Ojukwu

Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level student of the University of Lagos standing trial for the alleged murder of Super TV CEO Michael Ataga, told a Lagos State High Court on Monday that she did not report the incident to the police out of fear of being wrongly accused.

Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Tafawa Balewa Square division of the court, Chidinma explained her reluctance stemmed from previous reports of individuals being blamed after reporting crimes. She also admitted she had considered alerting the apartment’s gateman but ended the call due to anxiety.

Chidinma, along with co-defendants Adedapo Quadri and her sister Chioma Egbuchu, face a nine-count charge including murder, theft, and forgery. She began presenting her defence on April 17, 2025, detailing the events surrounding Ataga’s death in June 2021. According to her testimony, she noticed Ataga’s WhatsApp account was active even though she had seen him lying motionless in a pool of blood. Repeated attempts to reach him by phone failed, prompting suspicions that someone else may have had his phone.

She said she contacted the property’s gateman, Abu, who initially claimed Ataga had left the premises. However, he later confirmed that the victim’s vehicle was still parked there. Chidinma said she then messaged Ataga apologising and asking for forgiveness, stating, “I didn’t mean to leave you in that state. I was very scared,” after which she was blocked from his number.

Chidinma testified that she took two laptops, an HP and a MacBook, to Computer Village on June 18, 2021—one for repair and one to sell. She claimed the MacBook was a gift and, after negotiating, she sold it for ₦495,000. On June 20, she contacted her sister Chioma, who arrived in Lagos on June 22. Since Chioma had lost her phone in April, Chidinma gave her an old iPhone 7 Plus.

She recounted being arrested by police on June 23, 2021, alleging that she and her father were both handcuffed and taken to Panti. She told the court she informed officers she fled the crime scene out of fear and denied possessing Ataga’s belongings. Chidinma further claimed that a police officer, Bamidele, brought a blank statement form and asked her to write a statement without legal representation. She said when she insisted on having a lawyer present, Bamidele allegedly threatened her with the arrest of her family, including her 10-year-old sister.

According to her, Bamidele tore up her initial statement and forced her to write another version after showing her images from the crime scene. She said he claimed a robe used to tie the deceased belonged to her, which she denied. “I told him I couldn’t have tied Michael up. He was a huge man,” she said.

The trial continues as the court hears further testimony and evidence related to the high-profile case that has drawn widespread public attention since 2021.