Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and other Nigerians have lauded the Nigerian Police Force for the extradition of Benjamin Nnayereugo, popularly known as “Killaboi,” who allegedly killed a student of the Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
Nnayereugo was extradited from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria to face charges in connection with the murder of the student.
Confirming the extradition in a statement on Saturday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the fugitive was returned to the country in the early hours of the day following a coordinated effort between the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, and Qatari judicial authorities.
Nnayereugo had been declared wanted for allegedly killing 21-year-old Onuwabhagbe, a first-class student.
The suspect allegedly killed the student on July 13, 2023 at his residence at No. 24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos.
Following the crime, he fled the country and later released a video online claiming responsibility, a move the police described as a deceptive attempt to obstruct investigation.
According to Adejobi, the extradition process was set in motion after the victim’s family submitted a petition through their legal representatives on 29 September 2024.
He said an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension following his declaration as wanted by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department on October 13, 2023.
It was gathered that Nnayereugo was initially tracked down and arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20 October 2023 while using the alias “Kanu Princeton Samuel.”
However, he escaped custody during a prison break on November 26, 2023.
Police said the suspect eventually settled in Doha, Qatar, where he worked illegally under the name “Toure Abdoulaye,” using a fraudulent Guinean passport.
Following his extradition, the police said Nnayereugo will now face prosecution in Nigeria, assuring that justice would be served on the matter.
Reacting to the matter, Falana thanked the Nigerian government for collaborating with his law firm in the successful extradition of the murder suspect.
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, Falana said, “We are particularly indebted to the mother of the deceased, Mrs Okonye Cordelia Nneji, who furnished us with vital information on the movements of the suspect since he escaped from Nigeria two years ago.
“This is a challenge to all Nigerians to always pursue the cause of justice in order to end impunity in the country.
“Having confirmed that the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department has completed an investigation into the cold murder of Miss Onuwabhagbe, we hereby call on the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, to fast-track the prosecution of the suspect. 2023, Benjamin Best Nnayereugo ((aka Kilaboi).”
