By Evelyn  Usman

Two intimate friends, Obinna Maxwel, 21, and Elijah Ejiagha, 23, shared a robust relationship. In fact, residents of Orile, a suburb of Lagos State where Obinna lives referred to them as brothers. But two weeks ago, the relationship turned sour following an argument over Obinna’s refusal to pay Elijah  N50,000 which he owed him. In the process, a fight reportedly ensued during which  Elijah slumped and died.

Meanwhile, back in Elijah’s home, his family became apprehensive when he did not return home. A search was conducted around , without any luck. During the search, the family members reportedly received a call where the unknown caller demanded for a ransom of 40,000 dollars for the release of Elijah, who was a sale’s boy in Victoria Island.

However along the line, Obinna was arrested but later released, after informing the police that the purported kidnap of Elijah was planned by him(Elijah).  He was later re-arrested following the discovery of the decomposing corpse of Elijah in a gully around Orile area.

In his confessional statement yesterday at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, Obinna gave a graphic account of how he tucked his friends’ corpse into a jute bag (Ghana Must Go) and dumped it in the gully apparently to avoid being linked with his death.

The suspect, Obinna

*Genesis of the fight
According to Obinna, an aspiring artist; “Elijah  brought a piano to my house and begged me to help him keep it. Later , he gave me the sum of N50,000 to keep for him. He usually came to my house with his girlfriend whom I never liked. I told him not to be bringing the girl to my house anytime he was coming. That infuriated him and he said that meant he too would not come to my house again since I did not want to see his girlfriend.

“Then, he asked me to return his piano and his N50,000. Meanwhile, when he brought the piano, one of the cords was bad, and he accused me of spoiling it. While we were at that, he demanded for the money and I told him I was only with N20,000 which he refused to take.  I begged him to come back for the balance but he refused.

In the process, we started fighting and he lifted a stove to hit me. But in defense, I took a stool and hit him with it before he could hit me with the stove and he slumped and died. I shook him severally, called out his name but he did not answer. At that point, I concluded he was dead.”

*How I threw his corpse away
Out of fear, I tucked his remains inside a jute bag (Ghana Must Go) with the intention of throwing it away since nobody knew he was coming to my house. I put the bag inside a truck and rolled it out of my compound in Aloko compound. As I was going, a man stopped me and asked what I was carrying. Out of fear, I told him and begged him not to tell anyone.

He said he would only do that if I gave him N300,000. He followed me to the house where we bargained until he agreed to take N50,000. While in  my apartment, he showed interest in so many things which I asked him to take. I had to sell my home theater and television and realized N35,000 and gave to the man. I also gave him my phones to make up for the amount he demanded  for, before he left.

*Demand for ransom
The suspect from Enugu State further revealed that he took his deceased friend’s telephone and contacted his family, from where he demanded for ransom, pretending to  be a kidnapper.

Continuing, he said; “At that point, I became confused and looked for every possible way to cover up. I called Elijah’s brother to inform him that he had been kidnapped and demanded for 8,000 dollars for his release. Somehow, I was arrested and detained for three weeks. But I told the police Elijah and I planned to kidnap his boss. When they asked after him, I told them I did not know where he went to, that he was supposed to come to my place that day.

*His ghost kept hunting me
While in the cell, I started seeing Elijah, with the incident of the that day, reoccurring. I then confided in a pastor who usually came to preach to us in the cell. I promised him if I was let off the hook that I would confess openly.   Luckily, I was released.

The first thing I did was to confide in my uncle because I was no longer at peace. My uncle’s wife took me to Lord’s Chosen Church where I confessed openly. I was told I needed to go through a deliverance section.  One of my aunts who attends the church said after the deliverance that I should not return to the house. We then agreed to let it out.

But on Monday while in the church, I received a call where the caller said I should come home that he was interested in the apartment I got there, only to discover he was a policeman. I really do not know how they got wind of the whole thing. I do not know whether anybody in the church told the police or not.

*My regrets
As it is now, I regret everything.  I know I am paying for what I did. But my prayer is for God to give me a second chance to amend my way and live a life devoid of sin,” Obinna stated in an emotion-laden voice.