The Delta State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the arrest of Efe Money and the Chief Priest of Otokutu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, over the alleged murder of one Paulinus.
Also arrested were seven others over their involvement in the murder of the deceased.
This is coming after other suspects allegedly fled the community to evade Police arrest and Police prosecution.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the arrest in a WhatsApp message sent to our correspondent on Sunday morning.
The Police Image maker’s message read thus, “Confirmed,” Those arrested include, Sunday Ikpeba, Gavin Agbaja, Lawrence Joseph, Okiemute, John Egole, Elohor Oboteru and Godwin Wanwan.
It was learnt that the Divisional Police Officer in Ekpan Division, Uvwie Local Government Area, Aliyu Shaba led a team of policemen to arrest suspect, Efe Money and the Chief Priest over the alleged murder of his best friend simply identified as Paulinus a.k.a, Easy Boutique.
The Police also recovered the head of the victim from the shrine of the Chief Priest where it was buried after he was beheaded.
They were arrested on different dates and locations, DAILY POST can report.
It was learnt that Efe Money allegedly initiated and lured his friend to a shrine operated by the Chief Priest where they beheaded him before dumping his remains in the river.
The suspects thereafter called the deceased family and collected over N20 million ransom from them.
Findings revealed that it was Gavin Agbaja who Efe Money contracted to murder his friend for the sum of N1.5 million but he backed out after receiving an initial payment of four hundred and fifty thousand naira.
Investigation revealed that Sunday Ikpeba held his legs while Okiemute, the executioner cut off his head during the gory act.
The Otokutu Community’s Chief Priest, Lawrence Joseph, allegedly paid Okiemute N100,000 only to behead the deceased after they buried his head in the shrine and threw his body in the river.
Reports had it that three days later, the deceased’s body was seen floating in the river, the suspects got wind of it and went back, brought it out removed all his intestines tied some hard blocks to the body and threw it back into the river where it sunk.
They also drove the deceased car to Otu-Jeremi road and abandoned it there to make it appear like a kidnap case.
Another suspect, Chief Edah reportedly also gave Okiemute N100,000 to leave the community to avoid police arrest.
In another development, the prime suspect, Efe, who is now in police custody reportedly called human rights activist, Israel Joe threatening to kill him anytime he gets out of jail for publishing his pictures on social media.
The activist, Israel Joe has, however, urged the Police to ensure that justice prevails in the matter, noting that the suspects and his cohorts do not deserve to live.
Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Human Rights Affairs, Kelvin Ejumudo on his Facebook page described the act as “tragic and inhuman” for a friend to mastermind the death of his friend and benefactor.
Ejumudo also commended CSP Aliyu Shaba and his men for a job well done, especially in unravelling the suspects involved in the murder of the deceased for their selfish gains.
Comrade Ejumudo said, “They should all face the wrath of the law as there’s no peace for the wicked.”
