In a dramatic courtroom scene at the Lagos State High Court, Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the alleged murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, finally expressed regret over his death during a tense cross-examination.
Courtroom Confession and Emotional Admission
The 300-level Mass Communication undergraduate, who is standing trial alongside her sister Chioma Egbuchu and Adedapo Quadri for murder, conspiracy, and stealing, made the significant admission on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 while testifying as the first defence witness.
The atmosphere in the courtroom shifted noticeably when prosecution counsel Y. A. Sule directly questioned Ojukwu about her feelings regarding the tragic incident. When asked point-blank if she regretted Ataga's death, she replied with a simple but powerful statement: "I regret that he died."
Digital Forensics and Stolen Devices Take Center Stage
The hearing focused heavily on digital forensics and the handling of gadgets found in Ojukwu's possession following the incident. The prosecution sought to establish that Ojukwu had stolen Ataga's devices after his death, presenting receipts from a company named 'Phone Hub' as crucial evidence.
The documents reportedly detailed a transaction where Ojukwu swapped an iPhone and sold a MacBook Pro for ₦495,000. Ojukwu admitted visiting the outlet to sell the laptop and confirmed the proceeds were paid into her Sterling Bank account.
However, she vehemently denied stealing the device from the deceased. "Yes, it was a birthday gift and the person who gave it to me also gave me the receipt," Ojukwu told the court, insisting the laptop was her personal property.
Legal Battles and Evidence Admissibility
The court session was marked by sharp legal exchanges between legal teams. The defence counsel, led by Onwuka Egwu, strongly objected to the admissibility of the Phone Hub receipts. Egwu argued that the prosecution was ambushing the defendant with evidence not previously disclosed, a move he termed contrary to legal requirements.
Despite these objections, the presiding judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, overruled the defence and admitted the receipts as relevant exhibits crucial to the case.
Under further questioning, Ojukwu clarified the timeline of her actions, stating that the sale of the laptop occurred days after she had left the short-let apartment in Lekki where Ataga's body was found. She also confirmed that she continued using her phone to make calls after leaving the crime scene but denied being the last person to see the Super TV boss alive.
Ojukwu maintained she had no technical expertise in Information Technology, refuting suggestions that she had manipulated the digital trail in any way.
Justice Adesanya has adjourned the matter to February 9, 10, 17, and 23, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. The defence informed the court that they intend to call about four witnesses, while the prosecution had already called approximately ten witnesses.
The case, which began in 2021 after Ataga's body was found in a pool of blood at a Lagos short-let apartment where he and Ojukwu were lodged together, is now in its fifth year of legal proceedings.
