COURT ADJOURNS KILLABOI MURDER TRIAL OVER POWER OUTAGE, WITNESS DENIES KEY CLAIMS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Proceedings in the ongoing murder trial of Benjamin Best Nnayelugo, popularly known as Killaboi, were on Wednesday adjourned by a Lagos High Court due to a power outage that stalled further cross-examination.

The court had been hearing the testimony of the mother of the deceased, Augusta Onuwaghagbe, who appeared as a prosecution witness.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Marcel Oru questioned the witness on her interactions with the defendant before and after her daughter’s death.

The witness confirmed that the defendant had sent her ₦50,000 but denied receiving ₦300,000. She also acknowledged giving her bank account details to the defendant and confirmed that she remained in contact with him after her daughter’s death.

She further told the court that the defendant transferred $1,530 to her account after the incident.

On the issue of cryptocurrency, the witness confirmed that the defendant had opened a crypto account for her daughter but insisted it was funded with the deceased’s own money. However, she said she was not aware whether the defendant was actively trading or making profits from cryptocurrency.

The witness denied claims that the defendant contacted her to say he would surrender himself after the incident. She also refuted suggestions that the defendant’s family reached out to her for settlement.

According to her, an individual who claimed to be the defendant’s father contacted her after his arrest in Sierra Leone, proposing a settlement, which she rejected, insisting that discussions could only take place after the defendant’s extradition to Nigeria.

She also denied knowledge of any financial contribution made by the defendant through a third party for the burial of her daughter.

Additionally, the witness dismissed allegations that her daughter used hard drugs or engaged in smoking.

At the hearing, prosecuting counsel Olakitan Bolu Agbaje represented the nominal complainant.

The defence later requested an adjournment, citing the inability to present electronic evidence due to a power outage in the courtroom.

The court subsequently adjourned the case to May 20 and 21, 2026, for continuation of trial.