The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the shocking arrest of Efe Money and the Chief Priest of Otokutu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, following the brutal murder of his friend, Paulinus, also known as “Easy Boutique.”
Paulinus, a man believed to be close to the prime suspect, Efe Money, was allegedly lured to a shrine by his so-called friend, where he was beheaded before his body was dumped in a river.
The chilling details of the murder were confirmed by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who shared the news via a WhatsApp message on Sunday morning. “Confirmed,” he said, listing other suspects involved in the crime.
The shocking act has left the community in disbelief, and the authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to bring the remaining suspects to justice.
It all started with a disturbing betrayal. According to police sources, Efe Money, who had been close friends with Paulinus, was the mastermind behind the killing. He reportedly contracted another suspect, Gavin Agbaja, to carry out the murder for a sum of N1.5 million. However, Agbaja allegedly backed out after receiving an initial payment of N450,000.
Not deterred, Efe Money enlisted the help of other individuals, including Sunday Ikpeba, Okiemute, and Lawrence Joseph, the Chief Priest of Otokutu. The group allegedly held Paulinus down while Okiemute, the executioner, beheaded him in a ritualistic act.
The police later recovered the victim’s head from the Chief Priest’s shrine, confirming the brutal nature of the crime. After the killing, the suspects are said to have thrown the victim’s body into a river, later retrieving it to further mutilate the remains.
To further cover their tracks, the suspects reportedly tied hard blocks to the body before throwing it back into the river, making sure it sank. They also abandoned the victim’s car on Otu-Jeremi road, hoping to stage the crime as a kidnapping gone wrong.
Chief Edah, another suspect, allegedly paid Okiemute N100,000 to leave the community and avoid police capture, as the investigation began to unravel the chilling details of the crime.
The gruesome murder shocked the local community, as many struggled to comprehend how a close friend could orchestrate such an inhumane act. Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Human Rights Affairs, Kelvin Ejumudo, expressed his horror on social media, calling the crime “tragic and inhuman.”
In a bizarre twist, Efe Money, who is now in police custody, reportedly threatened human rights activist Israel Joe after his pictures were published on social media. Efe allegedly vowed to kill Israel Joe once he is released from jail, but the activist has vowed to continue his fight for justice, urging the police to ensure that all those involved face the full force of the law.
Israel Joe, who had been vocal in condemning the murder, has been working tirelessly to ensure justice for Paulinus and his grieving family.
Ejumudo praised the efforts of the police, particularly CSP Aliyu Shaba and his team, for their swift action in bringing the suspects to justice. He also called for the harshest penalties for those responsible, saying, “They should all face the wrath of the law as there’s no peace for the wicked.”
The murder of Paulinus has shaken the Otokutu community, as residents struggle to come to terms with the horrific events that transpired. The trust between friends has been shattered, and the community is left questioning the motives behind such a violent betrayal.
Local leaders have condemned the act in the strongest terms, and there is growing outrage among the public, with many demanding that the justice system ensure that the suspects face the maximum punishment for their crimes.