The ongoing trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, an undergraduate student accused of murdering Super TV CEO Usifo Ataga, took a significant turn on Tuesday. The Lagos High Court, located at Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island, heard the testimony of forensic expert Dr. Richard Somiari.
Dr. Somiari, serving as the eleventh prosecution witness, what the prosecution described as a crucial piece of evidence. “The DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga,” he stated. With 15 years of experience in forensics and over 500 forensic tests under his belt, Dr. Somiari’s testimony carries significant weight.
Under the guidance of Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, Dr. Somiari detailed the evidence his office received for this case.
“We received 21 different items on different days from our DNA centre staff members,” he said.
These items included a stained red dress, an army green t-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma Ojukwu, along with urine, blood, gastric content, and bile retained for a toxicology report.
Dr. Somiari explained the purpose of collecting these items was to “create an evidence triangle to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim.”
He confirmed that the DNA on the red dress matched that of Ataga, but not that of Chidinma or the other suspects initially charged alongside her, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.
The first defendant’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, cross-examined Dr. Somiari. The forensic expert narrated how the result of the toxicology report was forwarded to the office of the Attorney General of Lagos, Commissioner of Police, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, he clarified that not all forensic reports underwent such a procedure. When asked if he questioned the report given by the toxicologist, Dr. Somiari responded, “I have already said that I am not a toxicologist. It is a toxicologist that can do such.”
During the proceedings, the court granted Mr Egwu’s request to play the video of the crime scene. While the video was playing, Mr Egwu asked Dr. Somiari whether the samples of blood on the cotton, the wall, the duvet, and the white polo the victim was wearing were tested.
Dr. Somiari confirmed that these samples were not submitted. The second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, also cross-examined Dr. Somiari. He asked if any DNA sample was taken from the second defendant, Quadri, to which Dr. Somiari responded in the negative.
After hearing the testimony, Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case until May 30 for the continuation of the trial. Ojukwu, Quadri, and a third defendant, Egbuchu, were arraigned on Oct. 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government.
Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, while Egbuchu is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.