In the ongoing trial of Chidinma Ojukwu for the alleged murder of Michael Ataga, forensic expert Dr. Richard Somiari revealed a crucial piece of evidence on Tuesday. Testifying before the Lagos State High Court, Dr. Somiari disclosed that DNA extracted from blood found on Chidinma's red dress matched that of the victim, Michael Ataga, the late CEO of Super TV.
This testimony adds weight to the prosecution's case against Chidinma. Dr. Somiari, who serves as a director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, explained that his office received various items related to the case for forensic analysis.
These items included the stained red dress worn by Chidinma, an army green T-shirt, and DNA samples from Chidinma herself. He emphasized that the goal of the analysis was to establish a clear link between the suspect, the crime scene, and the victim. While the DNA evidence directly implicates Chidinma in the crime, it did not match the DNA of the other suspects involved in the case.
During cross-examination, Dr. Somiari clarified the forensic process and discussed the toxicology reports submitted to relevant authorities. Defense counsel questioned the completeness of the forensic analysis, highlighting areas where samples were not taken or tested. The court adjourned the case for further proceedings, indicating the complexity and importance of the forensic evidence presented in the trial.
