Trial has commenced in the murder case against Benjamin Best Nnayereugo also known as “Killaboi”who is charged with killing his girlfriend, Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
At the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, Lagos island, the first prosecution witness, an Uncle to the late Augusta, Mr. Reginald Okonye took the witness stand to narrate how the family discovered her body at the boyfriend’s house in the Ajah area of Lagos.
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Led in evidence by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Dr. Babajide Martins, the witness told trial judge, Justice Ibironke Harrison that for two to three days in July 2023, Augusta would respond to messages from her mother and brother but refused to pick up the phone when called.
This, he said, made them suspicious and worried and through the help of her roommate at the Lead City University, Ibadan, the family was able to trace her to the boyfriend’s house in Ajah, Lagos.
The witness said,”my name is Reginald Okonye. I am Regional Head of Sales, West and Central Africa for Siemens Energy. The deceased is my niece and her mother is my eldest sister.
“I met the defendant once before my niece, Augusta Onuwabhagbe passed but really couldn’t recognise him, but after her death, his picture was all over the media so I recognise him now.
“He once came to church with Augusta because her mother runs a church, but I saw him from afar. But on this faithful Saturday, July 15, 2024, Augusta’s mom came to my place and said for 2-3 days, She had not been able to speak to her daughter who usually calls her every morning.
“She said they had been chatting on WhatsApp because when she sends messages, Augusta responds but when she calls, Augusta never picks.
“Augusta’s brother had also expressed worry that he had not been able to reach her for 3 days. He insisted that the mother had to go look for her as he had a premonition that all was not well”.
The witness went on to narrate how the family visited the Ajah home of Augusta’s boyfriend where they eventually discovered her lifeless body.
“My sister said her daughter had a roommate, in Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyindamola who was quite close to Augusta. After establishing contact with Oyindamola, the two agreed that Augusta’s circle is very small and they needed to check her at her boyfriend, Benjamin’s place.
“Oyindamola confirmed that she knew the address and also said the place was in a gated estate and except someone from the house calls, Augusta’s mom would not be allowed access,” he stated.
“The mom then discussed with a friend to get a security personnel to accompany her so she could gain access. I drove to Ikeja Cantonment to pick the military man and another woman, Mrs Bankole who is a family friend. We then went to pick Oyindamola in Yaba cos she knows Benjamin’s house before the 5 of us proceeded to Oral Estate, Ajah.
“As expected, we were not allowed access and after the military man persuaded them, they agreed but asked one of their security guards at the gate to go with us. We were able to locate the place, 24a, Abiola Akpoyin Street, Oral Estate, Ikota, Ajah, Lagos.
“The gate was slightly open so the security man and the military men proceeded to enter. We sighted Augusta’s car outside the house. The key to the car was placed on top of the bonnet. My sister and the 2 other ladies were screaming Augusta’s name to see if she would come out but she didn’t,” he added.
Speaking further, the witness said, “The building is a semi-attached duplex and the window to one of the rooms upstairs was open but no one answered. The estate security advised that we go to Ajah police station to make a statement so they could come with us to search the house as we couldn’t enter the house without a warrant.
“So I drove to Ajah police station and after explaining, they released 2 police officers, one inspector Odun a female and another male who was armed to go with us.
“The officers tried to open the door but it was locked. They then advised we get a ladder so we could access the building through the open window. Luckily there were some young men outside the area who helped us rent a ladder. It was about 8pm and it was getting late.
