Update on Paulinus Okon Murder Case

One of the suspects arrested for the murder of Paulinus Okon, linked to a ₦30 million business transaction in Delta State, has reportedly passed away while in police custody.

Okeimute Gaga was discovered deceased on Tuesday morning.

Okeimute, alongside Efe Onoitiyi, Sunday Ikpeba, and herbalist Lawrence Joseph (30), was apprehended in connection with the murder which took place in Otokutu.

Paulinus was reported missing and subsequently beheaded on September 8, 2024. His remains were allegedly discarded in a river, while one suspect is said to have buried his head in a shrine.

During a December press briefing, Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, detailed the events surrounding Paulinus’s death, stating that he was last seen with Efe Onoitiyi, who is considered a close friend. Paulinus was reported missing by his brother after they last went out together.

Efe, who initially denied involvement, later asked Paulinus’s family for ₦500,000 to consult a herbalist for information about Paulinus’s whereabouts, which raised suspicions.

He further misled the family by claiming Paulinus had been kidnapped, leading to a ransom payment of approximately ₦20,715,000. However, when inconsistencies arise, Efe’s arrest followed, and the case was escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba.

The DPO of Ekpan Police station was instructed to conduct a thorough investigation, which implicated Okeimute Gaga. Upon his arrest, Okeimute confessed to the murder, detailing how Efe arranged for Paulinus to be killed by binding him near Orere River, where they beheaded him.

The body was disposed of in the river while the herbalist buried the head in his shrine. Efe explained that he killed Paulinus to hide his financial misdeeds after misappropriating the ₦30 million intended for a property purchase.

Sources reported that Okeimute died in police custody on Tuesday, but Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, claimed that he did not die in detention.