Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has successfully engaged with Sierra Leone’s Inspector-General of Police, Fayia Sellu, in an effort to secure the speedy extradition of a Nigerian murder suspect, Best Nnanyereugo Benjamin, to Nigeria for prosecution.
Nnanyereugo, who had been on the run, was declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with the alleged murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, a student at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State. He was apprehended in Sierra Leone.
In a statement released on Saturday, Falana, who represents the victim’s family, revealed his contact with Sierra Leone authorities regarding the matter.
He stated, “I am in touch with the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, and Chairperson of the Transition Committee of the West African Bar Association, Madam Michaela Eddinia Swallow in respect of the matter.”
He further added, “A few minutes ago, I had a telephone conversation with the Sierra Leonean Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Fayia Sellu. He assured me that he would cooperate with his counterpart in Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, in ensuring a speedy extradition of the suspect to Nigeria.”
Best Nnanyereugo Benjamin had been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command on October 10, 2023, after the alleged murder of his girlfriend on July 13, 2023. He had eluded authorities until he was arrested at a club in Freetown by Sierra Leonean police on Friday.
According to a source, the suspect is currently being held in detention in Freetown, awaiting extradition to Nigeria to face charges. The source also revealed that the suspect had been active on social media even after the murder, using the victim’s phone.
A concerned individual in Sierra Leone noticed the suspect’s social media activity and informed the deceased’s mother. She then contacted her lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), who assisted the family in reaching out to Sierra Leonean police authorities.
The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Idowu Ohonbunwa, had directed the Lagos State Police Command to declare Best Nnanyereugo Benjamin wanted on October 10, 2023. Following this, the Sierra Leonean police initiated a manhunt for the suspect, ultimately leading to his arrest.
The source revealed that Augusta was 21 years old when she was brutally murdered by the suspect, who claimed to be a real estate executive.
