A suspect implicated in the gruesome murder of Paulinus Okon, allegedly over a ₦30 million business deal in Delta State, has reportedly died while in police custody. The deceased, identified as Okeimute Gaga, was one of four suspects arrested in connection with the crime.
The Delta State Police Command had earlier apprehended Okeimute Gaga, Efe Onoitiyi, Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30-year-old herbalist named Lawrence Joseph for their alleged roles in the killing, which took place in the Otokutu area of Delta State.
Reports revealed that Paulinus was declared missing and later discovered to have been beheaded on September 8, 2024. His body was allegedly dumped in a river, while his head was buried at a shrine operated by one of the suspects in Otokutu.
In December, Delta State Police Commissioner CP Olufemi Abaniwonda provided a detailed account of the incident. He disclosed that Paulinus had gone missing after leaving home with his friend, Efe Onoitiyi, who later denied knowledge of his whereabouts.
According to the police, Efe initially approached Paulinus’ family, offering to assist in locating him. He allegedly demanded ₦500,000 to consult a herbalist who could help trace Paulinus. Later, Efe claimed Paulinus had been kidnapped and extorted ₦20,715,000 from the family as ransom while pretending to negotiate with the supposed abductors.
When Efe’s behavior raised suspicion, he was arrested, and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Okeimute Gaga, who confessed to his involvement in the murder.
Okeimute reportedly narrated how Efe conspired with him, Sunday Ikpeba, and the herbalist Lawrence Joseph to kill Paulinus. On the night of September 8, 2024, they allegedly tied Paulinus to a stake near Orere River and beheaded him. His body was disposed of in the river, while the herbalist buried the severed head at his shrine.
Police operatives later exhumed Paulinus’ skull from the shrine during an investigation. When questioned, Efe confessed to diverting the ₦30 million Paulinus had entrusted to him for a property purchase. Instead of completing the transaction, Efe allegedly used the money to acquire land and build a duplex for himself. Unable to repay the funds, he plotted the murder to avoid confrontation.
On Thursday, a source revealed that Okeimute Gaga died in police custody on Tuesday morning. However, the Delta State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, denied the claim, stating that Okeimute did not die in detention.
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