Chidinma Ojukwu, the 23-year-old Mass Communication undergraduate of the University of Lagos accused of murdering Super TV CEO Michael Ataga, told a Lagos State High Court on April 29, 2025, that fear kept her from reporting the incident. Speaking during her testimony before Justice Yetunde Adesanya at the Tafawa Balewa Square,
Chidinma claimed she panicked after discovering Ataga’s lifeless body and feared being accused due to the country’s history of blaming victims who report crimes.
The murder, which occurred in June 2021, sparked nationwide outrage and led to her arrest along with two others—Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu. The defendants face a nine-count charge including murder, conspiracy, theft, and forgery.
Chidinma, whose image went viral after her arrest, recounted how she froze upon seeing Ataga in a pool of blood and made a failed attempt to call the apartment’s security man, Abu, out of anxiety.
She told the court that Ataga’s WhatsApp status remained active hours after she fled the scene, fueling her suspicion that someone else had access to his phone. When she reached out to Abu, he initially claimed Ataga had checked out, but later changed his statement upon discovering the victim’s car was still parked outside. This inconsistency, Chidinma said, added to her emotional distress and fear of further involvement.
Her testimony included a WhatsApp message she allegedly sent to the deceased: “I didn’t mean to leave you in that state. I was very scared.” The message went unanswered, and shortly after, she was blocked from reaching his number. Chidinma described this sequence as emotionally crushing and isolating, emphasizing that she wasn’t running, but rather overwhelmed.
Chidinma also admitted to selling Ataga’s MacBook for ₦495,000 at Computer Village, Ikeja, two days after the murder, while taking another laptop for repairs. She insisted that the MacBook was a gift, but this action is now central to the theft and forgery charges brought against her. She later gave an iPhone 7 Plus—allegedly belonging to Ataga—to her sister Chioma, who had lost her own phone in April. Chioma is now charged with receiving stolen property.
The prosecution previously presented DNA evidence matching Ataga’s blood on a red dress recovered from Chidinma’s home. Forensic investigators testified in 2023 that the garment was critical in linking her to the crime scene. Her co-defendants have been ordered to open their defense, with the trial adjourned to February 20, 2025, for continued proceedings.
Chidinma’s public image shifted further after she graduated from a rehabilitation program at Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre in October 2024. Her story continues to polarize Nigerians, with critics questioning the pace and outcome of the trial. Her courtroom explanation—that fear and trauma silenced her after the murder—may influence the court’s final decision, but public sentiment remains sharply divided.