Man kills best friend in Delta over N30m

The Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including the mastermind, in connection with the shocking murder of Paulinus Okon, who was duped of ₦30 million and had over ₦20 million in ransom extorted from his family.

Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda revealed during a press briefing on Monday that operatives retrieved Okon’s decomposed skull at a shrine in Otokutu community, Ughelli South, Delta State.

Friend Turned Fiend
The case unraveled after Okon’s close friend, Efe Onoitiyi, lured him into a deadly plot. Initially, Efe denied any involvement in Okon’s disappearance on September 8, 2024, despite being the last person seen with him.

In a sinister twist, Efe demanded ₦500,000 from Okon’s family to “consult a herbalist” who could locate him. He later claimed Okon was kidnapped, extorting a ransom of ₦20.7 million under the pretense of negotiating with the supposed kidnappers.

The Gruesome Truth
Under intense investigation, another suspect, Okeimute Gaga, confessed to the horrifying crime. He disclosed how Efe led a group, including a herbalist named Lawrence Joseph, to tie Okon to a stake, behead him alive, and throw his body into the Orere River. The herbalist took Okon’s head to bury it at a shrine.

Police operatives exhumed the skull from the shrine, further exposing the chilling details of the crime.

A Murder Driven by Greed
When interrogated, Efe confessed his motive. He had convinced Okon to invest ₦30 million in a property he claimed was for sale. Instead, Efe diverted the funds for personal use, buying land and constructing a duplex. Unable to face Okon, he orchestrated the gruesome murder.

Justice Awaits
Efe and the three accomplices are now in custody, with CP Abaniwonda affirming the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victim and his family.

This case underscores the dangers of misplaced trust and highlights the relentless efforts of law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to book.