Mother of Slain Student Augusta Onwuabhagbe Breaks Down in Lagos Court, Recounts Threats and Final Moments Before Alleged Murder by Boyfriend 'Killaboi'

 In a heart-wrenching session at the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, the mother of 21-year-old Augusta Onwuabhagbe wept openly as she testified against Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as "Killaboi," accused of stabbing her daughter to death and interfering with her corpse.

Mrs. Cordelia Okonye, a 56-year-old civil servant and single mother, took the witness stand on March 5, 2026, led in evidence by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins. She identified the defendant in court and struggled to compose herself while describing the loss of her daughter, a 400-level Medical Laboratory Science student at Lead City University, Ibadan, who was on track for a first-class degree and worked as a social media influencer.

The relationship began in 2021 when Augusta informed her mother about dating Nnayereugo. As a cautious parent, Mrs. Okonye met him on December 8, 2021, after he visited their home, and accepted him, noting his frequent interactions with the family. However, cracks emerged in November 2022 during a vacation abroad funded by his sports betting winnings. Mrs. Okonye received a disturbing video from the defendant showing an altercation; Augusta later explained he had assaulted her—beating her, smashing her phone, pulling her hair, and verbally abusing her. Upon their return, he apologized profusely to the family and promised it would never happen again. Augusta pleaded to continue the relationship.

Tensions escalated fatally in July 2023. On July 11, Nnayereugo called Mrs. Okonye late at night, accusing Augusta of planning to cheat (though she denied any infidelity since 2021) and admitting he had impersonated someone online to test her loyalty. Mrs. Okonye rebuked him for his actions. Soon after, Augusta contacted her mother in distress, complaining that Nnayereugo had taken control of her Instagram account. In a poignant voice note presented as evidence, Augusta said: “Mummy, I don’t know. Benjamin has been threatening me. He swore by his mother’s grave that he was going to show me.”

Mrs. Okonye grew alarmed when she could no longer reach her daughter. The family traced her to Nnayereugo’s Ajah residence, where her car was parked outside a locked gate. With help from Augusta's roommate, a military contact, and police, they gained entry. Augusta's uncle, Reginald Okonye, climbed a ladder to peer inside and later confirmed the grim discovery: her lifeless body in a pool of blood.

The grieving mother broke down again recounting how Nnayereugo fled the country after the incident but posted online confessions, admitting he had "mistakenly stabbed" Augusta during a heated argument, urging no pity and claiming intent to surrender. He later messaged her to "be strong," to which she replied there was no justification for killing her daughter. Reports indicate he threatened to release compromising videos and posted old content accusing Augusta and her mother of misconduct.

Nnayereugo, who pleaded not guilty to two counts—murder (contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015) and indecent interference with a corpse by allegedly cutting open her stomach and removing body parts (Section 165)—fled Nigeria, was arrested in Sierra Leone (but escaped during a prison break), and was extradited from Doha, Qatar, in April 2025 after an international manhunt involving INTERPOL.

The trial, which opened on March 4, 2026, with the uncle's testimony about the body discovery, continues. Justice Harrison adjourned proceedings to April 22 and 23, 2026, for further evidence, including electronic exhibits and potential cross-examination.