The Delta State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Efe Onoetiyi for the murder of his closest friend, Paulinus Okon, after allegedly defrauding the victim of over N30 million.
While parading Efe alongside four accomplices, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, revealed the shocking details of the crime during a briefing on Monday.
In his statement, Olufemi said, “I welcome you to this briefing which is particularly painful. It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoetiyi. Paulinus was reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi, 30. The suspect, Efe Onoetiyi, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus, came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family about him.
“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 Paulinus’s whereabouts. Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20,715,000 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 the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters, Asaba. On November 28, 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 Gaga, 48. Okeimute Gaga, upon his arrest, opened up and confessed that he could 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 September 8, 2024, Efe, Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30-year-old herbalist, 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 it 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.”
Further investigation revealed the motive behind the gruesome act. Olufemi disclosed that Efe confessed to the killing, admitting he had diverted money meant to purchase a house for Paulinus.
Olufemi said, “Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at N30 million, which he advertised to the deceased, and the deceased paid N30 million in three installments, 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 Mr. Paulinus would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”
The Commissioner of Police issued a warning to the public to be mindful of the company they keep, particularly during this festive season.
He also lamented the lack of parental guidance in raising male children, which he identified as a contributing factor to such heinous acts.
During interviews, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that the head of the deceased was offered as a sacrifice to the gods of the community.
