Proceedings have commenced in the murder trial of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, widely known as “Killaboi,” who is standing trial over the death of his girlfriend, Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
The case opened at the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere on Lagos Island, where the first prosecution witness, Mr. Reginald Okonye, an uncle of the deceased, testified before the court. He described how the family eventually found Augusta’s body at the defendant’s residence in the Ajah area of Lagos.
While being led in evidence by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, the witness informed the trial judge, Justice Ibironke Harrison, that in July 2023, Augusta had responded to text messages from her mother and brother for about two to three days but consistently declined their phone calls. This unusual pattern, he explained, heightened the family’s concerns.
According to him, assistance from her roommate at Lead City University, Ibadan, helped the family trace her whereabouts to her boyfriend’s home in Ajah.
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”.
Continuing his testimony, Okonye explained that the family proceeded to the Ajah residence of Augusta’s boyfriend, where they ultimately made the grim discovery.
“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.
He added that a family friend arranged for a security operative to accompany them to ensure entry into the estate. The group, which included a military officer and Mrs. Bankole, drove to Oral Estate in Ajah after picking up the roommate in Yaba.
Upon arrival, estate security initially denied them entry. However, after persuasion from the military officer, they were granted access, accompanied by a security guard. They located the address at 24a, Abiola Akpoyin Street, Oral Estate, Ikota, Ajah, Lagos.
The gate, he said, was slightly ajar. The security officer and the military personnel entered first. Augusta’s vehicle was parked outside, with its key resting on the bonnet. Family members called out her name repeatedly but received no response.
He further told the court that one of the upstairs windows was open in the semi-detached duplex, yet there was no answer from within. Estate security advised them to report to the Ajah Police Station so officers could legally search the premises.
Police officers later accompanied them back to the residence. When attempts to unlock the door failed, they secured a ladder to access the building through the open window.
Describing what happened next, the witness stated that he climbed first, followed by an armed police officer. Using his phone’s flashlight, he looked into the room and saw the body lying inside. He signalled to the officer, who joined him and confirmed the discovery. Though the body had begun to change in appearance, he said he was able to identify his niece.
He explained that he deliberately maintained composure to prevent further distress to Augusta’s mother. The police later arranged for the removal of the body to a morgue.
He also recounted that in the early hours of the following day, officers confirmed that the remains had been deposited at the mortuary. The family was formally informed afterward.
During subsequent visits to the police station and later to Panti, statements were taken. The witness said Augusta’s mother informed him that the defendant had allegedly made online posts claiming responsibility for the killing following a quarrel. According to him, the police documented those posts, which quickly circulated widely.
After the testimony, the prosecution sought to tender photographic evidence of the body and the Ajah residence. Defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Marcel Oru, chose to reserve objections at that stage. The court admitted the photographs into evidence before adjourning proceedings.
Outside the courtroom, correctional officers from Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre escorted the defendant in a manner that prevented journalists from capturing his image.
Justice Ibironke Harrison adjourned the matter until Thursday, March 5, for continuation of trial, with Augusta’s mother expected to testify next.
Background
Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, also known as “Killaboi,” is accused of killing his 21-year-old girlfriend, Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
Police allege that the incident occurred at his residence at 24A Abiola Apooyan Street, Oral Estate, Ikota, Ajah, Lagos, on July 13, 2023, after which he fled Nigeria.
Authorities said he later uploaded a video online purportedly admitting to the act, which they described as a strategy intended to mislead investigators.
He was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department on October 13, 2023, and an INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued.
He was first apprehended in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on October 20, 2023, under the alias “KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break in November 2023. Investigators stated that he moved across several regions using forged identities before settling in Doha, Qatar, in January 2025 under another assumed name, “TOURE ABDOULAYE,” allegedly using a falsified Guinean passport.
Through coordinated international efforts and biometric verification, INTERPOL NCB Abuja and INTERPOL NCB Doha confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest in February 2025. Following an approved extradition request processed through the Federal Ministry of Justice, he was returned to Nigeria in April 2025.
In June 2025, the Lagos State Government filed a two-count charge against him at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. He is accused of indecent interference with a corpse and murder under relevant provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.
At his arraignment on November 17, 2025, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
What you should know
The Lagos High Court has begun trial proceedings in the case against Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as Killaboi, over the death of Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
A family member testified about the events leading to the discovery of her body in Ajah, Lagos. Authorities allege the defendant fled Nigeria after the incident, used multiple aliases across countries, and was eventually extradited from Qatar following international cooperation.
He faces charges of murder and related offences and has pleaded not guilty. The case continues with further witnesses expected.
