“He Killed My Daughter” — Augusta Onwuabhagbe’s Mother Breaks Down While Testifying in Lagos Court

Tears in Court as Augusta Onwuabhagbe’s Mother Testifies Against ‘Killaboi’ in Lagos Murder Trial 

Mother of Slain Model Augusta Onwuabhagbe Breaks Down in Lagos Court, Narrates Alleged Murder by Boyfriend ‘Killaboi’

An emotional scene unfolded at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on Thursday as the mother of late model Augusta Onwuabhagbe broke down in tears while testifying in the ongoing trial of her daughter’s alleged killer, Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as “Killaboi”.

The grieving mother, Cordelia Onuwabhagbe, a 56-year-old civil servant and single mother of two, appeared before Justice Ibironke Harrison to narrate the painful events that led to the death of her only daughter.

A Relationship That Began With Hope

While giving her testimony, Mrs. Onuwabhagbe explained how her daughter introduced Nnayereugo to the family in December 2021. According to her, Augusta had informed her that she was in a romantic relationship with him and later brought him home to meet the family.

The mother said she accepted him warmly because her daughter claimed to love him. She added that he frequently visited their home, shared meals with the family, and interacted freely with them.

At the time, Augusta was a final-year student at Lead City University in Ibadan, where she was studying Medical Laboratory Science and performing excellently in her academics.

Early Signs of Violence

Mrs. Onuwabhagbe told the court that the relationship began showing troubling signs during a trip the couple took abroad in November 2022.

She testified that during the vacation, the defendant allegedly assaulted her daughter, beat her severely, smashed her phone, and pulled her hair. According to her, while the assault was not recorded, the defendant allegedly filmed Augusta when she reacted angrily by throwing pillows at him and sent the video to her.

After they returned to Nigeria, she said the defendant visited their home, apologized, and even knelt before her son to beg for forgiveness. He reportedly promised never to repeat the violent act, and Augusta later pleaded with her family to give him another chance.

The relationship subsequently continued.

Threats Before Augusta’s Death

The grieving mother also told the court that matters took a disturbing turn in July 2023.

According to her testimony, the defendant called her late at night claiming he had tested Augusta’s loyalty by pretending to be someone else online and inviting her to Lagos. He alleged that Augusta agreed to meet the supposed admirer.

Shortly after the call, Augusta contacted her mother in distress, claiming the defendant had taken over her Instagram account and logged her out. As a social media influencer, she pleaded for help to recover the account.

Mrs. Onuwabhagbe said she called the defendant and persuaded him to return the account, which he did.

However, days later, Augusta reportedly sent a troubling voice note saying the defendant had threatened her and swore by his mother’s grave that he would “show her.”

The Search for Augusta

The witness further narrated how concern grew when Augusta stopped answering calls on July 15, 2023.

Acting on a disturbing feeling, Augusta’s brother urged their mother to locate her. With the help of Augusta’s best friend and a military officer, the family visited the defendant’s residence at Oral Estate in Lagos.

When they arrived, the gate was locked but Augusta’s car was parked inside the compound. Unable to gain entry legally, they reported the matter to a nearby police station in Ajah.

Police officers later returned with them and ordered the estate security to break the padlock.

According to the mother, the house appeared suspicious — the windows were open, the air conditioners were running, and Augusta’s car keys were left on the bonnet.

A ladder was later used to access the balcony, but the witness said she was not immediately told what was discovered inside the house.

The Devastating News

Mrs. Onuwabhagbe told the court that it was after Sunday service the following day that her brother finally revealed the heartbreaking truth.

“At that moment, my brother told me that Augusta was dead,” she said through tears.

The grieving mother said she later contacted the defendant, asking what her daughter had done to deserve such a fate.

Alleged Confession and Aftermath

According to her testimony, the defendant later posted online claiming that a heated argument led to him stabbing Augusta to death “by mistake.”

She said he also sent her messages apologizing and claiming the incident was accidental.

However, she insisted that abandoning her daughter after stabbing her could not be considered a mistake.

“If it was a mistake, you would rush her to the hospital,” she said.

She also alleged that the defendant later attempted to blackmail the family by threatening to release a private video of Augusta.

Arrest, Escape, and Extradition

Mrs. Onuwabhagbe told the court that the suspect was eventually declared wanted and later arrested in Sierra Leone. However, he reportedly escaped during a prison break before being recaptured months later.

With the help of renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the suspect was later arrested again in Qatar in January 2025 and extradited to Nigeria in April 2025.

She said the moment she saw him again was when he appeared in court during the ongoing trial.

Court Adjourns Case

During the proceedings, the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution, led by Babajide Martins, informed the court that additional electronic evidence, including videos and chat messages, had recently been served to the defence team.

Following a request by defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Marcel Oru, for time to study the materials, Justice Harrison adjourned the case to April 22 and 23 for the cross-examination of the witness.

The emotional testimony has drawn widespread attention as Nigerians continue to follow the high-profile case and call for justice for the late Augusta Onwuabhagbe.