Chidinma Ojukwu
CrimeHighlight

Ataga’s murder: Blood stain on Chidinma’s dress matches deceased’s blood, forensic expert reveals

"...other items received were urine, blood, gastric content, and bile, which were retained for a toxicology report"

1.5k

A new revelation in the murder case of Super TV’s CEO, Usifo Ataga, has confirmed that the blood stain on Chidimma Ojukwu’s red dress, the prime suspect, matched that of Ataga, according to forensic expert Dr. Richard Somari.

Dr. Somiari gave the revelation while testifying as the 11th prosecution witness at the resumed trial of the case at a Lagos High Court on the island on Tuesday.

According to him, the DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga.

Persecondnews recalls that a student of mass communication at the University of Lagos, Ojukwu, was arrested on June 23, 2021, by the police as the prime suspect in the murder of Usifo at a short-let apartment in Lekki, Lagos.

The media mogul was found in a pool of his blood with multiple stab wounds on his body in the apartment.

Led in evidence by the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, Somiari, a director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, told the court that he had practiced in the area of forensics for 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.

The forensic expert also told the court that concerning the suspect’s case, his office had received 21 different items on different days from their DNA centre staff members.

He said the evidence included a stained red dress, an army green t-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma Ojukwu.

He said other items received were urine, blood, gastric content, and bile, which were retained for a toxicology report. He said that the goal was to create an evidence triangle to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim.

Somiari said that the DNA on the red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga, but did not match that of Chidinma and the other suspects, who were initially charged alongside her, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.

The witness was cross-examined by the first defendant’s counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu.

Persecondnews had reported that the suspects were first arraigned at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court on September 6, 2021.

However, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, had recommended murder charges against Chidimma Ojukwu and Adedapo Quadri at a Lagos High Court.

The 21-year-old Unilag student was also charged with stealing, alongside her elder sister, Egbuchu Chioma, 28, an iPhone 7 belonging to the deceased that was later recovered.

Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, while her sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: 63-year-old Ekiti Chief Judge, Adeyeye, dies

Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, has passed away....

Equatorial Guinea govt introduces CCTV in offices amid sextape scandal

Following sextape scandals, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has announced plans...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

$26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Gains Momentum

The federal government, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African...

N1.3trn fraud: EFCC arrests, grills ex-Delta Gov. Okowa

A former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been apprehended by the...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Polaris Bank wins “Best Mobile App” award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

For its commitment to digital innovation and excellence, Polaris Bank has again...

Updated: After six years of injustice, Nigeria’s ex-Chief Justice, Onnoghen, finally gets justice

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of...

Flood sacks 4 Anambra council areas as Soludo activates 27 IDP camps

By Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka Floods have devastated four local government areas in...

Four-month salary: NASU, SSANU secure irrevocable commitment from FG, suspend strike

After a six-day strike, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff...

Three radio stations in Abia destroyed by mysterious fire

A mysterious fire has hit three radio stations in Abia in Abia...

Seven new ministers for inauguration on Monday, Nov. 4

President Bola Tinubu will preside over the oath-taking of seven new ministers...

Youth shot dead for playing football near VIP’s house

A 70-year-old man, Mr. Stephen Irobunda, has escaped a mob action in...

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director Dimeji Ajibola is dead

Dimeji Ajibola, the acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker behind the popular series Shanty Town,...

Just in: UK Conservative Party elects former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as new leader

Former British Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader...

Demolition of Abuja N200bln properties: Restrain Wike, Estate Developers Beg Pres. Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the alleged demolition...

FirstBank’s retired CEO, Adeduntan, gets presidential commendation

Impressed with his exemplary career trajectory and transformative leadership, President Bola Tinubu...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....