In a shocking turn of events, Tyrese Haspil, the personal assistant of Fahim Saleh, the CEO of Nigerian motorbike startup Gokada, has been arraigned for the gruesome murder of his employer.
Haspil’s desperation to conceal a theft of $400,000 led him to commit the heinous crime.
Saleh, a venture capitalist, had initially caught Haspil stealing $90,000, but instead of pressing charges, he opted to treat Haspil like a protégé and allowed him to pay back the stolen amount through a payment plan.
However, Haspil continued to steal from Saleh’s company using a PayPal account.
In July 2020, Haspil forced his way into Saleh’s luxury apartment, tasered him, and stabbed him to death.
He then dismembered Saleh’s body, leaving behind a gruesome scene.
Prosecutors found a saw, demolition bags containing body parts, and a Home Depot receipt at the crime scene.
Haspil’s motive was to prevent Saleh from testifying against him in criminal proceedings and to cover up his theft.
He had planned the crime for months, transferring money to himself even after Saleh’s death.
The case has sent shockwaves, highlighting the extreme measures individuals may take to conceal their crimes.
Haspil’s lawyer has argued that he suffered from “extreme emotional disturbance,” which led him to commit the crime.
The jury is yet to deliver a verdict, which could range from a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life in prison for first-degree murder charges or a lighter sentence of between five and 25 years for manslaughter.
