Forensic Report Reveals Owner of Blood on Chidinma’s Dress– The latest development reveals that Richard Somiari, a consultant at the Lagos State DNA and Forensics Centre, testified before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court, disclosing that the DNA blood sample collected from Chidinma Ojukwu’s clothing matches that of Usifo Ataga. Somiari, appearing before the court on Tuesday, elaborated on his findings. Chidinma, a former 300-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, is standing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and Adedapo Quadri in connection with Usifo Ataga’s death in 2022.
As the eleventh prosecution witness in Chidinma’s murder trial, Somiari stated that the forensic investigation relied on evidence collected from the police. With a doctorate degree in Bio-Chemistry and fifteen years of experience in forensics, he emphasized, “I have been practicing in the field of forensics for 15 years and have conducted up to 500 forensic tests.”
During his testimony, Somiari detailed the collection of 21 different items from various DNA centre staff members, including a stained red dress, an army green T-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma. Additionally, urine, blood, gastric content, and bile were collected for toxicology analysis.
He noted that the DNA sample from Ataga matched the red dress, but not Chidinma’s or other suspects’ blood. Furthermore, he mentioned receiving items such as an army green T-shirt and a DNA reference sample from Chidinma on different dates.
Somiari confirmed receiving the report from the NMS laboratory and disseminating it to the Assistant Inspector General, the Attorney General of Lagos state, and the Commissioner of Police Lagos State.
Chidinma’s lawyer, Oga Onwuka Egwu, questioned the forensic expert about the number of reports he typically produces, to which the expert responded that it depends on the case, but he reads the reports.
When asked if he doubted the findings of Forensic Toxicologist Andre Caroline Noble, he replied, “I cannot question the report of a toxicologist because I am not one. In my position as center director, I ensure that the report represents the samples of toxicology analysis.”
Somiari explained that two staff members from his organization visited the crime scene at the invitation of the investigating police officer. However, some items from the scene were not analyzed as they were deemed non-probative.
Oga Onwuka requested the video from the crime scene, leading to the court adjourning the case until May 30 for the continuation of the trial.
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