A Lagos State High Court has ordered the prosecution to hand over key digital exhibits, including mobile phones and laptops, to the defence team of Chidinma Ojukwu, who is standing trial for the alleged murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Yetunde Adesanya on Monday, marks a significant procedural step as the high-profile case enters the defence stage.
The decision followed an application filed in April 2025 by Ojukwu’s lead counsel, Onwuka Egwu, who argued the team needed access to the devices to prepare their case. The requested items included an iPhone 11 Pro, an iPhone XS, a MacBook Pro, and two 9Mobile SIM cards belonging to Ojukwu, as well as an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a MacBook Pro belonging to the late Ataga.
While Justice Adesanya noted that not all the requested items were in the prosecution’s custody, she emphasized the fundamental right of an accused person to access exhibits relevant to their defence.
“In line with the court’s ruling, we are releasing these exhibits to the defence,” stated prosecution counsel Yusuf Sule, who subsequently handed over an iPhone 7, an iPhone 11, and an HP laptop to the court for the defence team.
The court session saw an unexpected development as only the third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, was present. Chidinma Ojukwu and her co-defendant, Adedapo Quadri, were absent due to the planned nationwide protest holding across the country.
The case, which began in 2021 after Ataga’s body was discovered in a Lagos hotel room, has now shifted to the defence after the prosecution closed its case. Ojukwu and her co-defendants are charged with murder, conspiracy, and stealing.
The court has adjourned the trial, setting dates for October 27, November 6, 11, and 12, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing, where the defence will begin its attempt to prove the defendants’ innocence.
Reporting by Wahab Akinlade