The murder case of former Super TV CEO Alex Usifo Ataga involving 21-year-old UNILAG student Chidinma Ojukwu takes a new dimension

A pathologist, Professor John Obafunwa, the former vice chancellor of the Lagos State University, has become the latest witness to testify in the Chidinma Ojukwu’s murder case.

Some of the findings and testimonies made by Obafunwa appeared to have blown the murder case of Super TV boss Alex Usifo Ataga completely open.

Prof. Obafunwa told the Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square that the samples he gave to perform a post-mortem examination on the body of the late chief executive officer of Super TV, Alex Usifo Ataga, were manipulated and delayed for over a year before it was returned to him.

Obafunwa stated this while being cross-examined on the murder case of Ataga, allegedly killed by Ojukwu, a student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), for personal gains.

The testimonies given by Professor Obafunwa were not made as an independent researcher but as a witness in court speaking from a forensic and professional standpoint.

Obafunwa said he discovered the anomalies when the report was sent to him a year and two months after he submitted the samples to DSP Bamidele Olusegun

During cross-examination, the former LASU vice chancellor noted that the quantity of the urine and blood samples that he submitted did not correspond to what was given to Dr Andrea Noble for her toxicology report.

Autopsy report lacks information about Ataga

During cross-examination Professor Obafunwa indicated that there were some discrepancies in the autopsy report that was given to him after a toxicology test was performed by Dr Andrea Noble.

He pointed out that the autopsy report lacked some basic information he provided while submitting the samples, such as the name, date of birth, date of autopsy, and all relevant information.

The first defendant’s counsel, Onwuka Egwu Esq, along with Charity I Uduma Esq, while crossing examining the pathologist, asked: “As the person assigned by the Coroner to perform a post-mortem examination on the body of ATAGA USIFO MICHAEL, when you discovered the samples you gave out had been manipulated, did you query the Police for this anomaly?

Obafunwa said: “When I got the report, I noticed the anomaly and I notified the Prosecutor. The toxicology report signed by Dr. Andrea Noble is a 4-page document. Page 1 of that report is a covering letter from Mr. Afeez which I decided to ignore. Page 2 says the patient’s name: not provided meanwhile, I provided the name, date of autopsy and all relevant information. It says DOB not provided whereas I provided DOB up to age.” The former VC of LASU also spoke about some anomalies he noticed that were different from what he submitted at first. “Check the last end of the report, which stipulates 4mls of blood specimen on Dr. Noble’s report. What I submitted is 5mls of urine, 7mls=12mls of urine.

What I submitted was not what Dr. Andrea Noble in the USA got. The report was released a year and 2 months after I submitted my report for toxicology. I discovered the anomalies when the report was sent to me in February 2023 and I pointed that out to the Prosecution.”

Professor Obafunwa revealed that the claim by the police that Usifo Ataga was sedated with a Date drug (Rohypnol) in a bid to disarm was false.

He noted that the quantity of Rohypnol seen in Ataga’s bloodstream wasn’t enough to sedate him and was insignificant. The forensic pathologist also confirmed that autopsy results revealed that the two deadly stabs that killed Ataga were inflicted on his armpit and loss of blood.

Professor Obafunwas also noted that a double-edged knife was used during the attack, and there was a high possibility that there were two assailants who inflicted the injuries.

The defendant’s counsel asked: “Look at page 18, para. 2 of your report where you have “autopsy reveal multiple sharp stabs” and confirm that those fatal blows led to death as a result of the deep cut in the armpit.”

Obafunwa answered and said: “That’s correct. It went in deep and disrupted the veins leading to loss of blood and eventual collapse and death.

Recall that the police had claimed in their report that Usifo Ataga was drugged, bound with ropes and stabbed to death by his lover, Chidinma Ojukwu.

However, with Prof Obafunwa’s testimony, all these claims have been thrown open. He clarified that the quantity of drug found in Usifo Ataga’s bloodstream was too small to have induced him, noting the fact that he is a regular user of weed and Rohypnol.

Prof Obafunwa also revealed that another content of drug found in Usifo’s blood was that of medicine used by hypertensive patients.

According to the pathologist, Usifo was a hypertensive patient and was on medication. This helps to address the content of the hypertensive drug found in his bloodstream.

Police’s photos, videos not connected to crime scene.

The former LASU VC further stated that, unlike in other cases, he was unable to visit the crime scene, and the photographs and photos the police sent to him had no connection with the scene.

He also debunked the claims of the police that Ataga was restrained during the attack. Instead, he noted that he tried to defend himself, which was why he was stabbed in his palm.

Prof. Obafunwa also noted that the attack on Ataga was inflicted by a right-handed person. He said this explains why most of the stab wounds and cuts were to the left side of the victim’s body.

“My first contact with the corpse was in July 2021 death occurred on 16th June 2021. I raised alarm with the Police on how to conduct an autopsy after over 3 weeks of death? I went further to ask them is there’s no scene to visit, do you have photographs. I had no opportunity to visit the crime scene. The pictures and videos sent to me by the Police have no bearing with the scene. It shows just people drinking at a bar.”


https://www.signalng.com/usifo-ataga-former-lasu-vc-shows-striking-evidence-in-court-that-might-save-chidinma-ojukwu/

Could it be an attempt to bundle and smash the case?

A murder case like this should be an opportunity to strengthen our forensic investigation and infrastructures, but the black race do not build for the future.

I won’t be surprised if this Chidinma is set free at the end for lack of cast iron evidence.

This case is going to be swept under the rug.

Oga LASU VC don dey pay Chidinma conjugal visits recently.

what about the items she took from the victim? There's no way she's walking free.

unprofessionalism is making a lot of criminals go free. From EFCC to Police. Always working based on formed opinion and messing cases up when faced with superior opposition

COMRADES are speechless with this news

Who cares the dead man didn't keep his D in one place when he was alive.

Being rich is not a ticket to a promiscuous life.

That evidence forms the material and bedrock of their case. If it is thrown out nothing can save the case even if it goes on appeal. The only thing that can save the case if they don’t tender the evidence is if the case gets to Justice Ariwola court who as we all know can deliver judgement without needing any evidence

KillIgbohoN0W:
Oga LASU VC don dey pay Chidinma conjugal visits recently.

Smh. You better don't get reckless and end up in jail just in a bid to entertain. This is a serious matter.

What Prof Obafunwa implied is that the victim may have been assassinated and Chidinma may just be an accomplice or part of the conspirators in the alleged crime that led to murder which is still a serious criminal allegation. He never stated that the accused is innocent. He indicted the prosecutors seriously and heads may roll in the police if his witness report is found to be incontrovertible.

It's an ongoing case so let's be patient and watch as things unfold. The Judge on the case will decide at the end of the day. For now, everyone, including Chidinma, is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

May God bless Nigeria for ever! Check my signature for free stuffs!

KillIgbohoN0W:
Oga LASU VC don dey pay Chidinma conjugal visits recently.

Must you comment.?

Learn to keep quiet. If you go on like this, trouble is very close.

It's a plea. Read, waka & move to the next.

Avoid unnecessary problems o..

Praxis758:
Could it be an attempt to bundle and smash the case?

Of course if nigerian courts can acquit tinibu of no wrong doings after all the incriminating evidence presented this lady accused of murder can also be acquitted.

Strong evidence.

From holding the body for three weeks, denying him visit to the scene, providing distorted pictures/video and now coming back with a manipulated result that has some vital information wrongly attributed or outrightly missing.

The prosecutor (police) has alot to do else the case may suffer a blow.

When he informed the prosecutor of the anomalies he witnessed, what did they do? They have been bribed to mess up this case.

Praxis758:
A murder case like this should be an opportunity to strengthen our forensic investigation and infrastructures, but the black race do not build for the future.

Mr. White race, put your money where your mouth is.

ElSudani:
what about the items she took from the victim? There's no way she's walking free.

It is not about walking free but downgrading the charge from homicide to manslaughter.

The police have single handedly destroyed their case but it's to be expected after she was allowed to contest in a beauty pageant some years back

ivolt:

It is not about walking free but downgrading the charge from homicide to manslaughter.

Homicide is not the charge. The charge is murder. On what basis will it be downgraded to manslaughter? The police need to be serious with the case. This doesn't appear to be one of manslaughter.

Praxis758:
Could it be an attempt to bundle and smash the case?

Unless Prof Obafunwa is deliberately trying to save Chidinma but it's unlikely
In the beginning some people said there was a conspiracy and that Chidinma was not strong enough to overpower Ataga

They said there was a Cabal that was after Ataga and they had only used Chidinma as bait to get him

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/super-tv-ceos-murder-we-suspect-conspiracy-atagas-family/amp/

KillIgbohoN0W:
Oga LASU VC don dey pay Chidinma conjugal visits recently.

That is a foolish thing to write. You de play with forensic science, I hope you know they can trace you. I advise you to delete the comment or you go explain tire for court

BondRiv:


Homicide is not the charge. The charge is murder. On what basis will it be downgraded to manslaughter? The police need to be serious with the case. This doesn't appear to be one of manslaughter.

Please, go check the meaning of homicide.

Hint: there are different types of murder.

On the basis of the charge being downgraded. It is all about evidence not sentiments.

Strong indictment against the prosecutor (police)... Looks like they did a botch job.

Fact finding, sincerity and truth is very frustrating to get in nigeria

Praxis758:
Could it be an attempt to bundle and smash the case?

Before unko, can’t you see they’re trying to save her ass... Last last person wey don die, done die

Christistruth00:

They said there was a Cabal that was after Ataga and they had only used Chidinma as bait to get him/

Wether they used her as bait or not , she’s an accomplice of murder.....She knows something we don’t know

Unfortunately, the dead cannot defend itself. This is why CCTV camera is very important. But then there's also an issue of privacy and safety which makes the deployment impossible.

It is possible the girl was used by an enemy to kill the victim. It could also be as a result of self defense. It could also have been premeditated by the accused to defraud the victim.

Like I said earlier, if CCTV was deployed, it would've made things a little bit easier.

COMRADES are speechless with this news

Praxis758:
A murder case like this should be an opportunity to strengthen our forensic investigation and infrastructures, but the black race do not build for the future.

only you still believes here, even your politicians don't believe here because all there children are all schooling abroad

ivolt:


Please, go check the meaning of homicide.

Hint: there are different types of murder.

On the basis of the charge being downgraded. It is all about evidence not sentiments.

I know what it means. Clearly you don't, which was why I corrected you. The specific charge preferred against her is murder amongst other offences. Homicide doesn't automatically mean murder. I have also followed the case enough to know the evidence appears sufficient to secure the conviction on the charge, unless it is negligently prosecuted.

kaludestiny10:
This case is going to be swept under the rug.

I still suspect that his wife, she is a very powerful woman you know, maybe she got wind of what her husband was doing and unalive him