Richard Somiari, the 11th prosecution witness in the alleged murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, says the DNA blood sample found on her dress matched that of the victim, Usifo Ataga.
Somiari, a director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, gave his evidence before a Lagos high court at TBS on Tuesday.
Ojukwu, a 300-level student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is charged with the murder of Ataga, the CEO of Super TV, alongside her sister Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri.
At the resumed hearing, the witness was led in evidence by Adenike Oluwafemi, the deputy director of public prosecutions in Lagos.
Somari told the court that he had practised in forensics for 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.
The forensic analyst said his office received 21 items as evidence on different days from their DNA centre staff members.
He said the items included a stained red dress, an army green T-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma.
He added that other items received were urine, blood, gastric content and byle which were retained for a toxicology report.
He said the goal was to create an evidence triangle to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim.
Somiari told the court that the DNA blood sample collected from Chidinma’s red dress matched that of Ataga.
He, however, said that the DNA did not match that of Chidinma and the other suspects, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.
Somiari was cross-examined by Onwuka Egwu, the first defendant’s counsel.
The witness narrated how the result of the toxicology report was forwarded to the office of the attorney-general of Lagos, the commissioner of police, and the director of public prosecutions.
He, however, said that not all forensic reports went through such a procedure.
When asked if he questioned the report of the doctor Andrea Nuhu, the witness said: “I have already said that I am not a toxicologist. It is a toxicologist that can do such”.
Egwu requested the video of the crime scene to be played and the court granted it.
While the video was playing, he asked the witness whether the samples of the blood on the cotton, the wall, the duvet, and the white polo the victim was wearing were tested.
The witness answered that the samples were not submitted.
He, however, said that the markers indicated in his report had nothing to do with the video.
He had earlier said that some samples were in storage but not tested.
Babatunde Busari, the second defendant’s counsel, also cross-examined the witness.
Busari asked if any DNA sample was taken from the second defendant, Quadri, and the witness said no.
The counsel also asked the witness if he took part in the toxicology analysis which he answered no.
C. G. Ugochikwu, the third defendant’s counsel, said she had no examination for the witness.
After listening, Yetunde Adesanya, the presiding judge, adjourned the case until May 30 for a continuation of trial.
Chidonma Ojukwu and the two others were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos government.
Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing.
Egbuchu, however, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.
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