A 56-year-old civil servant, Mrs Cordellia Onuwabagbe, yesterday told a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere how a romantic relationship between her daughter and Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, popularly known as Killaboi, allegedly led to the death of her daughter, Augusta Onuwabagbe.

Justice Ibironke Harrison of Lagos High Court in Igbosere heard harrowing details yesterday in the trial of Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, popularly known as Killaboi, who is standing trial for the alleged murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabagbe.

Mrs. Cordellia Onuwabagbe, Augusta’s mother, recounted how her daughter introduced Nnanyereugo as her boyfriend in 2021. Augusta, a 400-level Medical Laboratory Science student at Lead City University, informed her mother of the relationship on December 1, 2021, and brought him home a week later. Mrs. Onuwabagbe said she accepted him as “a son,” noting he visited often and dined with the family.

The witness revealed that in November 2022, the couple travelled abroad for vacation. She questioned the source of the travel funds, to whichh Nnanyereugo claimed he had won a sports bet. About a week into the trip, she received a disturbing video in which Augusta appeared angry, although the abuse inflicted on her—including hair-pulling, phone smashing, and physical assault—was omitted.

Returning to Nigeria, Nnanyereugo visited the family to apologise, and Augusta requested that the relationship continue. However, tensions escalated in July 2023 when he accused her of planning to cheat and impersonated someone online to test her loyalty. He allegedly took control of her Instagram account but later returned it.

On July 15, 2023, Augusta reportedly sent her mother a voice note indicating Nnanyereugo had threatened her, swearing by his mother’s grave that he would “show her.” With the help of Augusta’s best friend, the family located his residence at Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos. Despite the gate being locked, they gained access with assistance from a military officer and estate security. Mrs. Onuwabagbe recounted that her brother climbed to the balcony to check inside but withheld details from her, and they postponed further search until the following day.

Tragically, Augusta was later found dead and buried on September 9, 2023. The defendant allegedly admitted online to a heated argument with Augusta and claimed he “mistakenly stabbed her.” He reportedly continued to communicate with the family, at times apologising and at other times issuing threats. He also allegedly made claims about a sex tape involving Augusta.

Mrs. Onuwabagbe said Nnanyereugo fled Nigeria, first being arrested in Sierra Leone under an alias, Samuel Kanu, and escaping during a prison break. He was finally arrested in Qatar on January 18, 2025, with the assistance of human rights lawyer Femi Falana, and extradited to Nigeria on April 19, 2025.

Justice Harrison adjourned the case to April 22 and 23, 2026, for continuation, including the tendering of video and WhatsApp evidence and cross-examination of the second prosecution witness. (The Guardian)

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