- The trial of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo for the murder of his girlfriend, Augusta Onuwabhagbe, began at the Lagos High Court on March 4.
- Augusta’s uncle, Reginald Okonye, testified about discovering her body at the accused’s Ajah residence, describing seeing her “lying in a thick pool of blood.”
- The court admitted photographs of the scene as evidence, and proceedings were adjourned to March 5, when Augusta’s mother is expected to testify.
The trial of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, accused of killing his girlfriend, Augusta Onuwabhagbe, began on Wednesday, March 4, at the Lagos High Court in Igbosere.
The first prosecution witness, Augusta’s uncle, Reginald Okonye, narrated how the family discovered her lifeless body at the accused’s residence in Ajah, Lagos. Testifying under the direction of Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, Okonye said:
“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 made us suspicious and worried. Through the help of her roommate at Lead City University, Ibadan, we were able to trace her to Benjamin’s house in Ajah, Lagos.”
Okonye explained that Augusta’s mother, a church leader, and other family members had to enlist a military officer and friends to gain access to the gated estate. He added:
“The gate was slightly open so the security man and the military men proceeded to enter. We sighted Augusta’s car outside the house. My sister and the two other ladies were screaming Augusta’s name to see if she would come out but she didn’t.”
Describing the moment he discovered her body, Okonye recounted:
“Using the torch on my phone, I peeped into the room and saw the corpse, lying in a thick pool of blood. I signalled the policeman from Ajah to come up. He got up and I showed him the body. Even though the body was a bit bloated, I recognized her.”
The uncle also stated that Augusta’s social media activity helped police link the accused to the crime.
“She was engaging with her roommate, who showed that Benjamin was online confessing that he killed his girlfriend after a quarrel. The police copied the posts and within a short time, the posts went viral.”
The prosecution then tendered photographs of the body and the Ajah residence, which the court admitted as evidence after no objections from the defence. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Marcel Oru, representing the accused, reserved all objections for later.
The trial was adjourned to Thursday, March 5, for the continuation, when Augusta’s mother is expected to testify. Correctional officers from Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre helped the defendant exit the courtroom unseen by journalists.
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