A prosecution witness, Mr. Ifeoluwa Oluwo, yesterday, told a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) how Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder trial of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, sold the deceased Apple MacBook Laptop to him.
Oluwo, a businessman, in his evidence before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, told the court that he bought the Laptop from the first defendant (Chidinma Ojukwu) for the sum of N495,000.00, after negotiations, on June 18 (two days after the body of Ataga was found at the short service apartment in Lekki).
Ojukwu is standing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri for the alleged murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga on June 15.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, had told the court that the defendants conspired amongst themselves and allegedly murdered the deceased at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The DPP said that Ojukwu and the second defendant, allegedly killed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, by stabbing him severally with a knife on his neck and chest.
However, at the resumed proceedings, Oluwo told the court that it was after the sale of the Laptop, that they saw her (defendant) face on social media, regarding a murder case connected to her.
He said that the name was very familiar to the customer they had done business with earlier, so he ensured that all her documents were kept handy.
Oluwo, who is the third prosecution witness (PW3), was led in evidence-in-chief by the Lagos State prosecuting counsel, Mr. Yusuf Sule.
The witness, who said he deals in Phones, Laptops and accessories at Computer village, Ikeja, claimed to be in the business for five years.
He told the court that they buy and sell brand new phones and fairly used phones.
He also confirmed that Chidinma was the customer, who made a purchase of a phone on April 30, 2021, and also sold her laptop on June 18, 2021, at the same office.
Asked if he could detect if a product was a stolen item, he said no.
The witness was thereafter cross-examined by the first defendant’s counsel, Mr, Onwuka Egwu, who asked if he was shown any documents, receipts or proof of ownership to show that the Laptop was not for the first defendant, at Panti, of which he answered in the negative.
After his evidence, Justice Adesanya adjourned till November 29, for the continuation of the trial.
