Usifo Ataga’s Body Found In Mortuary On Birthday – Witness Tells Court

Mr. Rotimi Albert, a prosecution witness in the trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, who is accused of killing Super TV Chief Executive Officer Usifo Ataga, claims that Ataga’s body was discovered in a mortuary on his birthday.

Albert testified as the fourth prosecution witness on Tuesday, according to NAN.

He testified in front of a Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square.

He described Ataga’s relatives and friends searching for him and discovering his body in a mortuary.

Ojukwu, a student, is on trial with her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and a man named Adedapo Quadri.

Albert, who presented himself as Ataga’s lifelong classmate and buddy, said he wanted to phone him on his birthday, June 17, to deliver him birthday greetings.

On June 16, a buddy called Albert and inquired if he had seen or heard from Ataga.

He claimed that a buddy told him over the phone that Ataga had not been heard from since June 13.

The witness stated that he attempted to contact the deceased via phone, and that when his phone rang but no one answered, he sent a WhatsApp message, which was delivered.

Albert stated that he noticed the deceased’s phone was connected to WhatsApp.

“I was surprised when he didn’t return my calls nor reply my messages.

“I started calling other friends to ask if anyone had seen him; even his siblings abroad called me to ask about his whereabouts. I told them I was also worried.

“His wife and other family members were also looking for him because they were supposed to celebrate his birthday with him in Abuja,” he said.

The witness told the court that the deceased’s wife had reported the concern to the police.

According to him, the deceased’s phone was followed, and it was discovered that it was last used at the University of Lagos Guest House.

According to him, he and a buddy went to the guest house on June 17 to look for Ataga’s car, but it was not there.

He added that the phone tracker revealed that the phone was used in the Lagos neighborhood of Aladimeji.

Because the movement kept shifting, Albert added, tracking got tough.

“In the course of all these, we got a call that Usifo is deceased and in a mortuary.

“We, therefore, went to Panti Police Station; there, we found out that the police had already visited the crime scene.

“After going to the crime scene, the police told us to go to the mortuary to identify the body; we went and confirmed it was Usifo Ataga.

“At the mortuary, I observed that he was assaulted with multiple stabbed wounds on his neck, abdomen, his side and leg.

“I also observed that his ribs had rope marks and deep indentations. That was how I got to know that my friend is deceased,” the witness said.

The witness was led in evidence by the Lagos State Director for Public Prosecutions, Mrs.Adeyinka Adeyemi.

After his examination-in-chief, the witness was cross-examined by Ojukwu’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, and he said he was not the one checking and tracking the deceased’s phone and his bank transactions but a mutual friend.

The witness said that he made a statement at the police station which was tendered by defence counsel, and it was admitted as evidence.

Counsel to the second defendant (Quadri) and third defendant (Egbuchu), Mr Babatunde Busari and Mr A. O. Ogunsanya, respectively, said they did not have any questions for the witness.

The prosecutor, however, asked for an adjournment to enable him to bring more evidence.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya, consequently, adjourned the case until Feb. 14 for continuation of trial.

Recall that the three defendants were arraigned on Oct. 12 on a nine-count charge preferred by Lagos State Government.

Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing.

Egbuchu is facing the ninth count of stealing iPhone 7 belonging to Ataga.