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Chidinma confess to Killing Michael Ataga All By Herself
Chidinma confess to Killing Michael Ataga All By Herself
The Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has watched the chilling footage of Chidinma Ojukwu confessing to stabbing to death the Chief Executive Officer of Super Tv, Usifo Michael Ataga, all by herself.
It also viewed the grim footage of Ataga’s lifeless body recorded shortly after he was found in a Lagos short-let apartment serviced apartment.
Miss Ojukwu, a 300-level, Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is the prime suspect in Ataga’s murder.
She is standing trial for the alleged offence alongside her sister and third defendant Chioma Egbuchu, and second defendant Adedapo Quadri.
They have been on trial since October 12, 2021, when they were arraigned at the high court before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.
According to the Lagos State Government which is prosecuting them, the alleged murder took place on June 15, 2021, at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
At the resumption of proceedings, the prosecution played the video recording from a Compact Disc (CD) on a large screen in the courtroom.
It showed Ataga lying on the floor facing up with his hands spread open wearing a white singlet and boxers stained with blood. His head was close to the wall and there was blood on the floor on his right-hand side.
There were also large blood stains on the floor and the pillow and duvet cover.
The video also showed Ojukwu narrating how she killed Ataga during interrogation by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olusegun Bamidele from the Intelligence and Tactical Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba.
The defendant said she met Ataga through a friend and they started speaking to each other and that on June 13, 2021, he asked her to look for a place for them to stay, so she got the short-let apartment where they ate, drank, took drugs and where he was killed.
Ojukwu said: “After I got the place on Sunday, we were smoking loud, drinking, watching movies and then I went to get food. The drug we were taking got finished and I ordered another one and went downstairs to get it from the delivery guy in the morning; that was on June 14, 2021.
“Then on Tuesday, we drank and smoked loud and I added Rophynol to his drink and we had sex. I was on the bed and he was on the chair. Then later he started disturbing me for more sex. I was tired and after struggling with him, he had his way and still wanted more.
“He wanted it, he was no longer himself and I thought he was no more interested in sex, only for him to return to the bed to ask for more sex. I pushed him away, which resulted in him hitting his head against a stool that had a glass. He had a cut on his leg and he became weak.
“I got a knife and stabbed him in the neck, ribs and stomach so that he would not be able to harm me. I tied his hands with hand kerchief.
“His blood was out and I was scared. I just packed everything, my clothes were also stained with blood, I just packed my things and left.
“I took the knife and handkerchief and when I got home, I threw the knife and handkerchief away.
“Michael (Ataga) was a friend, that we just talked. I didn’t know him that deep and we did not talk regularly.”
When she was asked in the video if she was assisted in killing the deceased as she couldn’t have done it alone because of his physique, Ojukwu said: “There was nobody that assisted me, I did it alone.
Asked why she didn’t call for help, she said: “Obviously I was scared that was why I left.”
Asked what was the motive behind her killing Ataga, she said: “There was no motive behind it.”
DSP Bamidele, who is the ninth prosecution witness, also asked Ojukwu why she was using a foreign number and why she hid her number. The defendant responded that she already had a foreign number registered on social media that she used to chat with people.
Asked why the owner of the service apartment didn’t know her identity, she replied: “She didn’t ask for my identification. It was a text that I got. If she had said that the place was not available I would have left for another place.”
On why she used a fake name “Mary Johnson” in opening a bank account, the defendant said she tried her real name but the account was blocked hence her decision to use Mary Johnson.
During examination in chief by prosecution counsel Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, Bamidele said the police recovered some items from the defendant’s house, including a small pink purse containing two syringes, eight pieces of Rophynol tablets, two sanitary pads, a small perfume, jewellery, an iPhone, a notebook, a diary and an HP laptop.
Other items were the defendant’s ID card with her name Ojukwu Chidinma Adora, Ataga’s driving licence, Ojukwu’s UBA ATM card, Super net ID card with Ataga’s name, then three other cards that had the deceased’s name and six blank complimentary cards, among others.
In a short ruling, Justice Adesanya dismissed the defendant’s objection and admitted the items in evidence.
Earlier, the witness showed the court pictures of the apartment.
The three defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021 on a nine-count charge preferred against them by Lagos State Government.
Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing.
The third defendant, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count – stealing of iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
The case was adjourned till October 12, for the continuation of trial.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor LGAs of Bayelsa state has suspended the current Minister of State, Petroleum resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the 2019 governorship candidate of the party, Chief David Lyon, and other party members for alleged anti-party activities.
The party leaderships of the two LGAs who read out the suspensions seperately on Friday said the decision came having considered the report of the disciplinary committee that was set up in accordance with Article 21.3 (i) of the party’s constitution, 2022, as amended.
Those suspended from the party in Southern Ijaw LGA alongside Chief David Lyon include Mr. Jothan Amos (Former State Chairman of the APC, Bayelsa State), Hon. Godbless Diriwari (Ex-Officio member, National Executive of the party), Hon. Omiebi Fuoebi (Party stakeholder), Sabi Morgan (LGA APC Youth Leader) and Barr. Peres Biewari (Current Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Bayelsa State).
Others are Mr. Timiondi Fabofieghe (APC Chairman, Ward 3, Southern Ijaw LGA), all the ward 3 Executive members of the party, Mr. Claudius Odobu (APC Chairman, ward 4, Southern Ijaw LGA) and all ward 4 Executive members of the party.
In Ekeremor LGA, those suspended along the Minister for State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, include the current Commissioner for Power, Bayelsa State, Engr. Karin Kumoko and other loyalists to the Petroleum Minister.
Reading out the notice of suspension, the chairman of the APC, Southern Ijaw LGA, Mr. Ebikazi Gbefa, noted that the suspended stakeholders has played anti-party activities since 2020 till date.
“Recall that the said stakeholders and members of the party have been involved in anti-party activities since the Senatorial bye-election in 2020 when they conspired with the People’s Democratic Party candidate and worked against our party’s candidate then, Mr. Ebifemowei Abel. For the sake of a united party, their actions were overlooked and the party refrained from taking disciplinary actions against them.
“In the 2023 National Assembly elections, the same set of stakeholders and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates.
“In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, all the aforementioned members openly worked for Gov. Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party and some of them were compensated with contracts and appointments. For example, Barr. Perepuighe Biewari who was Chief David Lyon’s Personal Assistant, was nominated by Chief David Lyon and appointed as the current Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the Gov. Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State.
“As we strive to rebuild the party ahead of 2027, it is our resolve to strengthen the party and build confidence in party grassroots members who believe in and have sacrificed remarkably to the party in the state. It is a common saying that ‘it is better to go to war with fewer loyal and committed soldiers than a numerous and uncommitted number of soldiers.’ It is on this premise that we, the under-signed executives of the Southern Ijaw APC hereby suspend them indefinitely from the party.
“Cases of other members who were involved in anti-party activities are being investigated and consequential actions shall be taken against them in due course,” the suspension notice read.
For the Ekeremor LGA, the Party Chairman, Senator Mitin Eniekenimi, while reading the suspension notice said “the Minister for State Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and his followers have been involved in anti-party activities since the 2019 gubernatorial election when he sought to be the standard bearer of the party’s flag but the party members did not support his ambition, hence he lost out and started working against the party, using his supporters to institute cases in court against the party and also establishing a factional State Secretariat of the party at the Isaac Boro Expressway, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.
The suspension notice further read in part;
“In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and work for Gov. Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party and was compensated by the PDP-led government of Bayelsa State. His personal Aide, Engr. Kharin Kumoko, was nominated by the Minister for State, Petroleum Resources, (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and appointed as the current Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State.
“It is on record that from the day he was appointed as Minister, he has been fighting the party in Bayelsa state and has refused to make peace despite all entreaties. It is on this note that we, the under-signed executives of the Ekeremor local government area APC hereby suspend Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Engr. Kharin Kumoko indefinitely from the party.
“The Executive of the party in Ekeremor local government is still reviewing other cases of anti-party activities done by other party faithful and appropriate actions would be taken against anyone found guilty in the coming days.”
The both Ekeremor and Southern ljaw LGA executives conclusively noted that the suspensions of the above stakeholders are transmitted to the State Executive Committee of the APC for ratification.
The Southern Ijaw LGA executives who signed the suspension notice include; Ebikazi Gbefa,LGA APC Chairman, October Woyinkeditonmene, LGA APC Deputy Chairman, Amakiri Ayebanoah, LGA APC Secretary, Mr. Living Jackson,LGA Ass. Secretary, Christian Dise,LGA Treasurer, Abraham Fulman,LGA Financial Secretary, David Sese, LGA Organizing Secretary, Dorua Oyeintunumubofa, LGA Ass. Organizing Secretary, Dauzi Agbe Oyinmiebi, LGA Publicity Secretary and Ayibatonye Izeikumo, LGA Ass. Publicity Secretary.
Others are Eric Ebiumono, LGA Welfare Secretary, Oyinki Whitex, LGA Auditor, Princewill Matthew, LGA Ass. Auditor, Joy Steven Asimena, LGA Woman Leader, Josephine Simeon Tondeghe, LGA Ass. Woman Leader, Ossy Isaiah Ekpete, LGA Ass. Youth Leader, Sophy Timidiseghe,
LGA (Special PWD Leader), Tonweriyai Waripamo, LGA Ex-Officio I, Douye Akienkpo, LGA Ex-Officio II, Silas Koko, LGA Ex-Officio IIl and Delta Waminiye Dede,LGA Ex-Officio IV.
In Ekeremor LGA, the suspension notice was signed by Mitin Eniekenimi Senator, LGA APC Chairman and Loki Ebikeniye Misoro, LGA APC Secretary.
French Embassy Partners NIFS to Sponsor Nigeria Delegation to MIPCOM
Sahara Weekly Reports That The French Embassy as part of its commitment to support industry development, has partnered with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) to sponsor a Nigerian delegation, comprising about 20 companies with dedicated stands, at the Nigerian Pavilion at Cannes.
The Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) is a leading platform dedicated to advancing the film and television industries in Nigeria, across Africa, and beyond. By providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation, NIFS plays a pivotal role in driving the growth and global recognition of African content.
MIPCOM is renowned as the Mother of all Entertainment Content Markets Globally, with over 11,000 delegates, 3500 buyers, and over 100 countries represented with more than 320 stands.
Located at the heart of the Palais des Festivals’ exhibition floor, this market combines a high-end conference setup with sessions on Connected TV Summit, Streamers Talk, MIP Global FAST & AVOD Summit as well as a networking lounge including a bar area, alongside a dedicated “Tech Demo zone”.
Over the days, participants will engage in networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts aimed at pushing Nigerian content to the global forefront.
Industry professionals and Trightsalogue rights holders will come together to explore new opportunities and address the challenges facing the industry.
By accepting to join the Nigerian delegation to MIPCOM, participants reaffirm their commitment to highlighting and selling African stories that resonate not only on the continent but around the world.
Mr Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos stated that “After supporting a stand for Nigerian Animation Studios at Animation Film International Market in Annecy for the past 3 years, the French Embassy in Nigeria will be providing Nigerian Industry professionals with an umbrella at Mthe IPCOM. Coordinated with NIFthe S platform, this stand will be hosting fourteen studios that sell tantheirvies, TV series, TV, and shows to international broadcasters, and platform support for the Nigerian Audiovisual Industry was made possible thanks to specific funds. This year again, the program called “Creation Africa” enables us to support entrepreneurship in the sector of cultural and Creative industries. This fund has bd to us for a period of 18 months by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.”
Mrs Ijeoma ONAH, founder of NIFS added: “Indeed we are excited with the level of support from the French Embassy in supporting film and TV professionals with a Nigerian Pavilion at the largest global content distribution market MIPCOM Cannes. Through this partnership, our resolve to continue to drive international business for local Nigerian companies has been reinforced, and with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit, we remain committed to the huge ininternationalitieshrough lithe censing of local programs because this outcome will definitely elevate and transform the dynamics of international distribution for local companies in Nigeria.”
Mrs Onah will lead the Nigerian delegation to Cannes along with Mr Christophe Pecot, Audiovisual Attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria.
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