By SCM Staff Writer I Monday, October 20, 2025
LAGOS, Nigeria – THE glamorous student accused of murdering Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga has been granted access to the dead executive’s mobile phones and laptops as she finally begins her defence.
Chidinma Ojukwu, who stands accused of the high-profile 2021 slaying, had her legal team handed key electronic exhibits in a Lagos court ruling on Monday.
The items—including an iPhone 7, an iPhone 11, and an HP laptop—were officially released to the defence, who claim they need the devices to prove her innocence.
Chidinma is accused of conspiring with two others to murder Mr. Ataga after his body was found in a hotel room in 2021.
The prosecution has closed its case, and the stunning former Mass Communication student must now fight for her life.
Her defence counsel, Onwuka Egwu, filed an application back in April demanding access to the crucial tech evidence, which also includes SIM cards and other gadgets belonging to the defendants.
The lawyer told the court the team needed to inspect the exhibits, which included Mr. Ataga’s iPhone 8, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and a MacBook Pro 13, to build their case.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, sitting at the Lagos State High Court at TBS, ruled that every accused person has the right to access relevant evidence to prepare their defence.
Prosecution counsel Yusuf Sule then handed over the three key devices to be passed to Chidinma’s legal eagles.
However, the accused herself was absent from the explosive court sitting.
Chidinma and her co-defendant Adedapo Quadri failed to appear in the dock due to a planned nationwide protest. Only the third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, attended the hearing.
The case has been adjourned until October 27, when the defence is expected to begin its battle to clear the student’s name.