‘Things don’t add up’ — family begs public for information on Usifo Ataga’s murder

The family of late Usifo Ataga, the Super TV CEO stabbed to death, has begged any member of the public with useful information on his murder to contact the police.

Last Tuesday, Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level mass communication student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with whom Ataga lodged in a hotel where he died, was arrested for inflicting the wounds that claimed his life.

Chidinma, who was paraded at the state police command, had alleged that the businessman forcefully had sex with her, prior to a second attempt that resulted in a violent confrontation.

In a statement, Isi Ataga, a member of the deceased’s family, said some claims by the arrested suspect don’t add up.

“This past week and a half have been the worst of our lives. A little over a week ago, unknown persons savagely killed our beloved son. With no regard for him, or his family, who love him, they viciously ended his life,” the statement read.

“His children will grow up to read unkind, thoughtless words from thousands of people who have joined the lynching party in the press and the blogosphere.

“Our aging parents must now struggle to pick up the pieces amid a cacophony of misinformation propagated by strangers. A suspect has been arrested and paraded before the press.”

The family pleaded with the public to quit spreading conspiracy theories as it made the job of the police difficult.

“We, the Ataga Family, are grateful to the Nigerian police for pursuing this investigation. However, like you, we have many unanswered questions. Some things don’t add up,” the statement further read.

“If you have any information, don’t hide behind online posts. Instead, come forward and share it with the police.

“The more you add to the false information in the press and social media, the harder it is for the police to do their work and fully solve this case. The harder it is for a grieving family to recover from the loss of their beloved son.”

Earlier, Femi Fani-Kayode, an ex-minister of aviation, had argued that Ataga didn’t deserve death for his “weakness for women”.