Fresh facts have emerged on how a man in Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State allegedly connived with the chief priest of the community and others to bestially murder his close friend.
It has now been revealed that the suspect, Efe Onoetiyi (aka Efe Millions) killed his friend, Paulinus Okon, after defrauding him of N30m given to him to purchase a choice plot of land in the community.
“Rather than buying the land as instructed by Paulinus, Efe diverted the money, gave out forged documents and used it to hurriedly build himself a 6-bedroom duplex in the community,” a source in Otokutu said.
The State Police Command confirmed the report, saying the evil friend diverted the money and tried to hide his crime by gruesomely killing his friend and chopping off his head, after telling the family that he was kidnapped.
Family sources said Onoetiyi was at the fore of the search for his missing Okon, who was a popular clothing merchant before his death.
“During his ‘kidnap’, Efe Million, whom he trusted with most of his business deals, including property purchase rallied the family and collected huge sums of money – over N20m – to ‘facilitate’ the release of the victim, one family source on the matter told Naija Daily News.
It was later learnt that unknown to the family, Efe was the mastermind of the kidnap.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, told newsmen that the alleged mastermind and three others, including the chief priest, have been arrested.
Abaniwonda said Paulinus was reported missing on 8/9/2024 by his brother after he went out with Efe (30).
“The suspect Efe Onoitiyi who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family about Paulinus, he was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied.
“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 Paulinus’s whereabouts.
“Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20.715m 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 28th November 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation is 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 Gaga (48). Okeimute Gaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he can no longer hide what happened. Okeimute Gaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to the Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him.
“The suspect further stated that on the 8th of September 2024 himself, Efe and Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30-year-old herbalist known as Lawrence Joseph tied Paulinus Okon 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 him at his shrine in Otokutu.
“The DPO Ekpan Police station led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered. During interrogation, Efe was asked why he killed his friend Paulinus, Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at N30m which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid him Thirty Million Naira (#30,000,000) in three instalments. But instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and built 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 me would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.” He added.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the incident is generating fear among people living in the area, who are now being advised to be mindful of the people they call friends.
“The two were inseparable and seemed to be the best friends. The deceased trusted Efe and gave him unhindered access to his home, business and family. Paulinus saw Efe as a trusted ally in the community and relied on him for advice.”
