The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, a university student accused of the murder of Super TV CEO Usifo Ataga, proceeded on Tuesday at the Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, with forensic expert Dr. Richard Somiari taking the stand as the eleventh prosecution witness.
Dr. Somiari, a seasoned forensic analyst with over 15 years of experience, informed the court that DNA evidence obtained from Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Usifo Ataga. He detailed the meticulous process of receiving and analyzing various items, including the stained red dress, a green army t-shirt, and DNA samples from Chidinma Ojukwu.
Somiari emphasized the importance of creating an evidence triangle to establish links between the suspect, the crime scene, and the victim. While the DNA on the red dress matched that of Ataga, it did not correspond to Chidinma or the other initially charged suspects.
Under cross-examination, defense counsels sought clarification on the forensic procedures and questioned the witness about the toxicology report. Despite the absence of certain tested samples, Somiari reaffirmed the validity of his findings.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case until May 30 for further proceedings. Chidinma Ojukwu and her co-defendants were arraigned by the Lagos State Government in October 2021, facing charges including conspiracy, murder, and theft.