Witness narrates how Ex-HoS, allies diverted public funds to private companies in court
Ataga’s Murder: Forensic evidence indicts Chidinma as blood sample on dress matches
The director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Dr Richard Somiari has confirmed that the DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Michael Ataga, the late Super TV CEO.
Somiari gave his evidence today in the alleged murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu before the Lagos State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, is being prosecuted for the murder of Ataga.
The trial includes her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.
At the hearing of the trial, Somiari told the court that his office received 21 different items on different days from their DNA centre staff members.
The forensic expert told the court that he had practised in the area of forensics for 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.
According to him, the items that were received for evidence included a stained red dress, an army green T-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma Ojukwu.
He also told Justice Yetunde Adesanya that other items that were received were urine, blood, gastric content, and bile. These were retained for toxicology reports.
The witness said the goal was to create an evidence triangle to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim.
Somiari said the DNA on the red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga.
However, it did not match that of Chidinma and the other suspects, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.
During cross-examination by the first defendant’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, he told the court 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.
Egwu requested the video of the crime scene to be played, and the court granted it.
While the video was playing, he asked the witness whether the samples of blood on the cotton, the wall, the duvet, the white polo the victim was wearing, the chair, and a rug were tested. The witness answered that the samples were not submitted.
Earlier, Somiari told the court that some samples were in storage but not tested.
The second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, also cross-examined the witness.
He asked if any DNA sample was taken from the second defendant, Quadri, and the witness said no.
The third defendant’s counsel, Ms C. G. Ugochikwu, said that she had no examination for the witness.
After listening to the testimony of Somiari, Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until May 30 for continuation of trial.
Ojukwu and the two others were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government. Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts, which include conspiracy, murder, and stabbing.
Meanwhile, her sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
