Police authorities in Delta State have arrested one Mr Efe Onoetiyi, for killing his best friend, Paulinus Okon, after collecting over N50m from the deceased.
The arrest was confirmed by the state Police Commissioner, Abaniwonda Olufemi, while addressing newsmen.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Bright Edafe, the CP had ordered the Criminal Investigation Department of his command to unravel details surrounding the case when he got wind of the wicked act.
The statement reads, “This briefing is about the murder of one Paulinus Okon ‘m’ by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoeti. Paulinus was reported missing on 8/9/2024 by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi ‘m’ age 30yrs. The suspect Efe Onoeti, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family of Paulinus, he was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him.
“On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them of Paulinus’ whereabouts. Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of N20.715million from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.
“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department State Headquarters Asaba. On November 29, 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible as the main suspect Efe was not yielding.
“The DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Ogaga ‘m’ aged 48yrs old. Okeimute Ogaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened. Okeimute Ogaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him. The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, himself, Efe and Sunday, and a 30yrs old herbalist known as Lawrence Jo tied Paulinus to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him alive.”
“His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO Ekpan Police station led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull was exhumed and recovered.
“During interrogation, Efe was asked why he killed his friend Paulinus, he stated that he saw a building for sale at a cost of N30million which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid him N30million in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.
“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing him would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”
