Lagos Court Hears Emotional Testimony as Mother of Slain Augusta Faces Alleged Killer “Killaboi”

ARTICLE
Emotions ran high at the Lagos High Court in Igbosere as the mother of late Augusta, Cordelia Onuwabhagbe, gave a deeply personal testimony against the man accused of killing her daughter, describing how she once trusted him like family before tragedy struck.

The defendant, Benjamin Nnayereugo, is standing trial over the alleged murder of 21-year-old Augusta, an incident that has drawn national attention and triggered a lengthy international manhunt.

During cross-examination, the grieving mother told the court she welcomed the defendant into her home, where he ate, rested, and even slept. She said he appeared harmless and was treated like a son until her daughter’s death exposed a darker reality.

She also revealed that the defendant frequently attended church with the family and maintained what seemed like a close relationship with Augusta, making the shock of the incident even more devastating.

The court heard details of trips the couple allegedly took to Mauritius in 2021 and Seychelles in 2022, which the witness said initially appeared like romantic getaways but later became part of a troubling pattern of abuse allegations.

According to her testimony, the relationship reportedly deteriorated during the Seychelles trip, where she said the first physical assault on her daughter occurred. She also referenced a video sent to her by the defendant during one of the disputes.

The defence challenged her account, suggesting the disagreements stemmed from disagreements over content Augusta shared online. However, she insisted her daughter was only engaged in professional modelling-related work and rejected claims that she was violent or involved in wrongdoing.

She further disputed allegations that Augusta damaged hotel property during a quarrel abroad, insisting no such information was ever communicated to her by the defendant.

The mother also told the court that she received expensive gifts purchased by the defendant for her daughter, including designer items and a phone, but claimed the device was taken back after Augusta’s death.

In a particularly emotional moment, she said she only learned of the defendant’s alleged alias, “Killaboi,” after the incident, adding that she had no prior suspicion of his violent tendencies.

She also denied claims that her daughter had been involved in prostitution or had secret relationships, stating such narratives emerged only after the alleged murder.

Financial transactions between the defendant and the family were also mentioned in court, with the witness acknowledging receipt of several sums, which she said she redirected due to fear and confusion following the incident.

The court was further informed that the defendant allegedly fled Nigeria after the killing, triggering international tracking efforts that led to his arrest abroad and eventual extradition back to Nigeria.

The Lagos State Government has filed a two-count charge against him, including murder and alleged improper handling of the victim’s remains. He has pleaded not guilty.

The case was adjourned as the court continues hearing testimony in one of Lagos’ most closely watched criminal trials.