Man kills bosom friend in Delta over N30m

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Man kills bosom friend in Delta over N30m

A suspect, identified as Efe Onoetiyi, and others have been arrested by the police over the murder of one Paulinus Okon.

Earlier, Paulinus had been reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother, after he went out with his friend, Onoetiyi Efe, a 30-year-old male.

Efe, who initially denied knowing anything about Paulinus’s disappearance, later visited Paulinus’s family. When confronted with the fact that Paulinus had gone out with him on that same day, Efe denied this.

Later, he returned and demanded N500,000 from Paulinus’s brother, claiming he would use the money to consult a herbalist who could help them locate Paulinus.

Efe also informed the family that Paulinus had been kidnapped and collected a ransom of approximately N20,715,000 from Paulinus’s brother, claiming he was in contact with the kidnappers.

When it became clear that Efe was hiding something, he was arrested, and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department at the State Headquarters in Asaba.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta Command, Abaniwonda Olufemi, on November 28, 2024, directed the DPO of Ekpan to take over the case and ensure a thorough investigation is carried out to identify those responsible, as the main suspect, Efe, was not cooperating. Ekpan conducted an intelligence-led investigation that led to the indictment of one Okeimute Gaga, 48.

Upon arrest, Okeimute Gaga confessed, saying: “I can no longer hide what happened. I will narrate how Efe brought Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu and asked us to kill him.”

The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, he, Efe, Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30-year-old herbalist known as Lawrence Joseph tied Paulinus Okon to a stake at night near Orere River and beheaded him while he was still alive.

“His body was thrown into the river while the herbalist took Paulinus’s head and buried it at his shrine in Otokutu,” he added.

The DPO of Ekpan Police Station led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu, where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.

Asked why he killed his friend, Efe said that he found a building for sale for N30,000,000, which he advertised to Paulinus. The deceased paid him N30,000,000 in three instalments, but instead of purchasing the house, Efe diverted the money for his personal use, buying two plots of land and building a duplex for himself.

“I did not know how to explain to the deceased that I had used his money, so I decided that killing him would save me the trouble,” he confessed.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Efe and the three other suspects are currently in custody.