Blood on Chidinma’s dress matched Ataga’s DNA – Expert

Dr Richard Somiari, a forensic expert in the alleged murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, on Tuesday, revealed that the DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Michael Ataga, the late Super TV CEO.

Somiari, who is a director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, gave the evidence before the Lagos State High Court, at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

Ojukwu, a 300-level, Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, is being prosecuted for the murder of Ataga, alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri.

At the resumed hearing of the trial on Tuesday, the witness who is the 11th prosecution, told the court that his office received 21 different items on different days from their DNA centre staff members.

The forensic analyst who was led in evidence by the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, 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 byle which were retained for toxicology reports. Punch