In a shocking turn of events in Delta State, a 30-year-old man identified as Efe Onoitiyi, also known as Efe Money, has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of his friend, Paulinus Okon. This case has sent ripples of disbelief throughout the local community, especially since the deceased was a well-known boutique owner in Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Efe, who allegedly lured his friend under the pretense of a business deal, has been linked to the gruesome crime with the support of a herbalist known as Lawrence Joseph, who acts as chief priest in the Otokutu area. The police revealed the deeply disturbing nature of the crime during a press briefing held at the Delta State Police Command headquarters in Asaba on Monday, December 23, 2024.
The unrest began when Paulinus, reported missing on September 8, 2024, was last seen with Efe. Just a few days later, his lifeless body was discovered floating in a nearby river, stirring growing concern among family and friends. Efe, instead of aiding the search, deceitfully claimed that Paulinus had been kidnapped and even managed to extract a ransom of N20,215,000 from Paulinus’s brother, pretending to maintain communication with the supposed kidnappers.
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According to Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, the investigation took a serious turn when Efe began to act suspiciously. He initially denied any knowledge of Paulinus’s whereabouts and later attempted to manipulate the grieving family into giving him N500,000 to consult a herbalist who could supposedly locate their missing loved one.
The police investigation intensified when Efe’s inconsistencies aroused suspicion. Under the direction of DPO Aliyu Shaba of the Ekpan Division, investigators executed a detailed inquiry that eventually led to Efe’s arrest. With pressure mounting, key witness Okeimute Gaga, 48, opened up about the crime. He revealed the horrifying details of how Efe and others allegedly plotted the murder, leading to a confession that would shock the community.
Reports suggest that Efe and a group of accomplices, including Sunday Ikpeba, even tied Paulinus to a stake near the Orere River before brutally beheading him. In an effort to conceal their crimes, they allegedly attempted to make it appear as though Paulinus had been kidnapped. After the murder, they reportedly disposed of his body in the river, weighed down with rocks, to ensure it would not resurface easily.
As the police delved deeper into the case, Efe reportedly confessed that his motive stemmed from a failed business investment. Paulinus had entrusted him with N30 million, which Efe promised to use to purchase a property. Instead of following through, Efe diverted the funds to personal ventures, including purchasing land and constructing a duplex for himself.
“I did not know how to tell him the truth about the money. I thought killing him would end my troubles,” Efe reportedly claimed during his interrogation—a chilling admission that highlights a betrayal of trust between close friends.
Authorities have seized key evidence in the case, including the victim’s severed head, which was recovered from the herbalist’s shrine, further underscoring the ritualistic elements involved in this heinous act.
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In a sobering note, CP Olufemi expressed his condolences to the family of Paulinus Okon and condemned the act as not just murder, but a betrayal of friendship that transcended all bounds of morality and law. He assured the public that justice would be pursued relentlessly, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations to unearth the complete truth behind this gruesome crime.
As the story continues to unfold, the Delta community grapples with the tragedy of a bright life lost to an unfathomable act of violence and treachery. This shocking incident serves as a grave reminder of how greed can distort even the most cherished relationships.
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