By Gideon Njoku
Michael Usifo Ataga was rich. He lived it to the hilt. In Lagos where he resided, it was where only the rich could reside – Banana Island. In the area, the rent for a two-bedroom flat could go for as high as five million Naira, or more, per annum. But he lived in his own house, which must have set him back by scores on millions of Naira. That’s what it costs to be a home owner there.
And why not?
He worked hard. He was self-employed. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, and was on the Board of Super.
An accomplished young man, his wife was no less accomplished. While he lived in Lagos, his wife lives in Abuja, where she works, with their children.
But this good life went up in smokes over a big blunder. A blunder not a few men commit, and take for granted. He had another interest outside his house, a female interest.
A respectable man, he respected his home, the bed he shared with his wife. He did not want to desecrate it, or his home. He also did not want to be taking his girlfriend to hotels.
Money was not the problem. So, he rented a flat in another good area of Lagos, Lekki Phase 1.
He thought it was a smart idea. Big mistake.
This last Thursday, it turned fatal. The girlfriend whose name is not public yet, allegedly, murdered him in the Lekki flat.
It is not known exactly what happened. But, it must have been a well laid out plan. She, allegedly, drugged him, before murdering him by stabbing him on as many places as she could – heart, neck, chest, stomach.
The news of Ataga’s gruesome murder was first broken by The Street Journal.
He was first reported to be missing. The report was made on Sunday by worried friends and family when nobody could reach him on the phone, with no faintest idea of where he went to.
The fact that he had not been seen in his Victoria Island office changed the mood from worry to panic. Not even his wife could guess where he was.
Aged 49, his lifeless body with multiple deep stabs, was finally found in the flat more than 24 hours later, reportedly by a combined team of Police and DSS Personnel.
Whoever his company was had disappeared.
And, a large chunk of money, allegedly, withdrawn from his bank account in a second generation bank.
Questions are being asked if the girl, who she met, allegedly, only two weeks ago, carried out the gruesome murder alone. Or, did she get help from one or two other people to have easily subdued him?
Those who knew him say he knew a thing or two about boxing, and they ask why he was not able to use his skills.
However, it is left for the girl to say exactly what happened. She is under arrest by the Police, according to sources, and she is expected to sing like a bird.
Meanwhile, Atiga’s family and friends are completely devastated – obviously.
