The Delta State Police Command has arrested Efe Money, the Chief Priest of Otokutu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, and seven others for their alleged involvement in the murder of Paulinus, also known as “Easy Boutique.”
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the arrests included Sunday Ikpeba, Gavin Agbaja, Lawrence Joseph, Okiemute, John Egole, Elohor Oboteru, and Godwin Wanwan.
CSP Aliyu Shaba of the Ekpan Division led the operation, which also recovered the victim’s head from the Chief Priest’s shrine, where it had been buried.
Investigations revealed that Efe Money lured his friend Paulinus to the shrine operated by the Chief Priest, where he was beheaded. His remains were dumped in a river, and the suspects later demanded and collected over N20 million in ransom from the deceased’s family.
Reports indicated that Efe Money initially hired Gavin Agbaja to kill Paulinus for N1.5 million but only paid N450,000. Gavin backed out of the plan, leaving others, including Sunday Ikpeba and Okiemute, to carry out the murder. Okiemute allegedly beheaded the victim while Ikpeba held his legs during the act.
The Chief Priest, Lawrence Joseph, reportedly paid Okiemute N100,000 to complete the beheading. The suspects buried Paulinus’s head in the shrine and dumped his body in the river. When the body floated three days later, they retrieved it, removed the intestines, tied blocks to it, and submerged it again.
To mislead investigators, the suspects abandoned Paulinus’s car on Otu-Jeremi Road to create the appearance of a kidnapping. Chief Edah allegedly gave Okiemute N100,000 to flee the community and avoid arrest.
Efe Money, now in custody, has reportedly threatened human rights activist Israel Joe for exposing him on social media. Israel Joe called on the police to ensure justice is served, stating the suspects should face the full weight of the law.
Kelvin Ejumudo, Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Human Rights Affairs, condemned the murder, describing it as “tragic and inhuman.” He commended CSP Aliyu Shaba and his team for uncovering the crime and remarked, “They should all face the wrath of the law as there’s no peace for the wicked.”
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