In a chilling confession at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), 20-year-old Chiemerie, accused of murdering his employer, has admitted to the crime while denying several other allegations leveled against him. The suspect, who hails from a humble background, detailed the events leading to the fatal attack, attributing his actions to ongoing mistreatment and fears over his hard-earned savings.
Chiemerie, speaking exclusively to The Nation newspaper during his interrogation, refuted claims of drug addiction and arriving home late on the day of the incident. However, he openly confessed to striking his boss—referred to as "Oga"—three times on the back of the head with a pestle, and subsequently attacking the boss's sister, Ogechukwu, with the same weapon.
Recounting his journey to Onitsha, Chiemerie explained that he relocated there in 2023 at the urging of his elder brother, who connected him with the apprenticeship opportunity. "My parents are peasant farmers and couldn't afford my university education, even though I passed WAEC and JAMB," he said. "I had to agree to come here to learn the trade."
He described his initial relationship with his boss as cordial, but tensions escalated over time. Chiemerie recalled an incident where his boss confronted him aggressively after a church activity, demanding to know his whereabouts. Despite reporting this to his brother, he was advised to endure it as part of the apprenticeship process.
The turning point, according to Chiemerie, involved his savings. In July last year, he enlisted a friend, Nnabuife (now also in custody), to help open a bank account at Ogbo-Ogwu Market. Over time, he amassed N5 million through point-of-sale (PoS) monitoring. Planning to quit the apprenticeship and start his own business, Chiemerie asked Nnabuife to withdraw the funds, but received only about N3 million. When he complained, Nnabuife allegedly threatened to take it all, claiming it as his fee for assistance.
"This made me angry because I had plans for that money," Chiemerie stated.
Detailing the night of the murder, he insisted he returned home around 7:30 p.m. on that Saturday, not late as alleged, and had not visited a girlfriend. Feeling unwell with a headache, he sought permission from his boss's sister to visit a chemist for drugs. Upon his return, he found himself locked out on his boss's orders, relayed via a phone call from the sister. Eventually, the boss's wife, unaware of the directive, let him in.
Chiemerie remained in the kitchen until around 3 a.m., when his boss returned. "As he entered, I took the pestle and hit him thrice in the back of the head," he confessed. He then rushed to Ogechukwu's room, striking her as well. She awoke, struggled for the pestle, and fled to alert neighbors.
Explaining his motives, Chiemerie cited rumors that his boss had discovered his savings and planned to seize them, along with severe punishment. "I was fed up and wanted to quit to set up my own business," he said. "I'd also begged him multiple times for a phone—I was the only one in the compound without one—but he refused."
Denying any influence from drugs or alcohol, Chiemerie admitted to past use of Tramadol but claimed he stopped after his boss's warning. "It wasn't drugs or alcohol. I can't explain it—it was the devil's manipulation," he said. "My intention wasn't to kill him, but the maltreatment, especially being locked out, forced me to act."
Showing no remorse, the young suspect expressed readiness to face the consequences. "I'm prepared for death by hanging or shooting. I know I won't be forgiven, even if I ask," he stated flatly.
The case remains under investigation at the State CID, with authorities probing further into the events and Nnabuife's involvement.
Source: The Nation Newspaper