The trial of the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Chidinma Ojukwu, continued Tuesday, with the testimony of the eleventh prosecution witness, and forensic expert, Richard Somiari.
Somiari, a consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Foresics Centre, told the court that the DNA blood samples found on Chidinma’s red dress match those of the deceased, Usifo Ataga.
Somiari, who testified before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, while being led in evidence by Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Adenike Oluwafemi, said he has a PhD in biochemistry, and has been practicing in the area of forensics for fifteen years, and has conducted over five hundred forensic tests.
He added that he received two items of evidence from the investigative officers, including an army green-coloured T-shirt and a DNA reference sample from Chidinma Ojukwu.
The witness also disclosed receiving five items of evidence on the fourteenth of July, twenty-one from Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bamidele Olusegun, including urine, blood, gastric content, and bile retained for toxicology.
Somiari, who admitted to taking part in evidence examination and crime scene processing, also told the court that his office received 21 different items in different days from their DNA centre staff members.
Somiari added that the DNA in the red dress matches that of the victim, Ataga.
He said, however, that the DNA did not match that of Ojukwu and the other suspects in the matter.
While being cross-examined by the first defendant’s counsel, Onwuka Egwu, the witness revealed that the toxicology report was forwarded to the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Director of Public Prosecution, and the then Commissioner of Police in the state, adding that not all forensic reports went through that procedure.
Counsel for the defendant requested that the video of the crime scene be played, and this was granted.
While watching the video, Egwu asked Somiari if the samples of blood on the curtain, wall, duvet, and white polo the victim was wearing were tested, and the witness answered that the samples were not submitted.
Answering questions from counsel for the second defendant, Babatunde Busari, the witness said no DNA sample was taken from the second defendant, Quadri.
Chidinma Ojukwu and Adedapo Quadri are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing, while Chioma Egbuchu is facing a ninth-count charge of stealing.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case to May 30 for continuation.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
