A suspect, identified as Efe Onoetiyi, and others have been arrested by the police for the murder of Paulinus Okon.
Previously, 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 man.
Efe, who initially denied knowing anything about Paulinus' disappearance, later visited Paulinus' family. Given the fact that Paulino had gone out with him that same day, Efe denied it.
He later returned and demanded N500,000 from Paulinus' brother, claiming that 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' brother, claiming that he was in contact with the kidnappers.
When Efe learned that he was hiding something, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department at the State Headquarters in Asaba.
The Delta Command Police Commissioner, Abaniwonda Olufemi, on November 28, 2024, directed the Ekpan DPO to take charge of the case and ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out to identify those responsible, as the main suspect , Efe, did not cooperate. . Ekpan conducted an intelligence-led investigation that led to the indictment of 48-year-old Okeimute Gaga.
After her arrest, Okeimute Gaga confessed and said: “I can no longer hide what happened. I will tell how Efe took Paulinus to the Orere River in Otokutu and asked us to kill him.”
The suspect further claimed 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 the Orere River and beheaded him while he was still alive.
“His body was thrown into the river while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried it in his shrine in Otokutu,” he added.
The DPO of Ekpan Police Station took police officers to Otokutu Shrine, where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.
When asked why he killed his friend, Efe said he found a building for sale for N30,000,000, which he advertised to Paulinus. The deceased paid him N30,000,000 in three installments, but instead of buying the house, Efe diverted the money for his personal use, buying two plots of land and building a duplex.
“I didn't 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.
As the Police Commissioner informed Efe, the other three suspects are currently in custody.