“I Regret That He Died” - Chidinma Ojukwu Speaks as Trial Intensifies at Lagos High Court

By James Ike

Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the killing of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga, on Tuesday told the Lagos State High Court that she regrets his death. Her cross-examination took a tense turn at the court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square.

Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student, is standing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and Adedapo Quadri for murder, conspiracy, and stealing. She appeared in court on November 25, 2025, as the first defence witness.

Tension rose in the courtroom when the prosecution counsel, Y.A. Sule, pressed her about her emotions surrounding Ataga’s death. Asked directly whether she regretted the incident, Chidinma replied softly, “I regret that he died.”

A major part of Tuesday’s proceedings focused on digital forensics and devices recovered from her after Ataga’s death. The prosecution sought to establish a link between Ojukwu and the alleged theft of Ataga’s electronic devices, presenting receipts purportedly issued by a phone store known as Phone Hub. The documents indicated that she swapped an iPhone and sold a MacBook Pro for ₦495,000.

Ojukwu admitted visiting the shop and confirmed that the payment was made into her Sterling Bank account. However, she denied stealing the laptop, insisting it was hers. “It was a birthday gift, and the person who gave it to me also gave me the receipt,” she told the court.

The hearing was marked by sharp exchanges between the defence and prosecution. Her lawyer, Onwuka Egwu, objected to the admissibility of the receipts, arguing that the prosecution failed to disclose the documents beforehand, contrary to established legal procedures.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya overruled the objection and admitted the receipts as exhibits, declaring them relevant to the ongoing trial.