Saburi Lateef, a 49-year-old transporter living in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was initially among the sympathisers mourning the death of 62-year-old retired confidential secretary Mrs Adedotun Oluwaseun before being unmasked and arrested as the primary suspect in her gruesome murder.
The victim, widely known as Big Mummy and formerly employed by the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, was killed inside her residence situated in the Agbakin-Emere neighbourhood of Bode Olude, Abeokuta. Investigators allege that Lateef broke into her apartment while she attended a social gathering and subsequently murdered her upon her unexpected return.
How did the investigation unfold?
The breakthrough in the case followed strict directives from the Nigeria Police Force leadership, prompting the Ogun State Police Command to deploy specialized homicide detectives to unravel the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. Initially, investigators lacked direct leads connecting anyone to the crime scene, but sustained intelligence gathering and forensic reviews pointed towards the neighbour.
A confidential source within the homicide division at Eleweran revealed that the perpetrator spent over an hour inside the premises. Authorities suspect the attack was also motivated by an assumption that the retired civil servant had recently accessed her retirement gratuity. According to police findings, Lateef strangled the victim, inflicted severe machete wounds on her person, and concealed her body on a toilet seat within the apartment's restroom.
What is the suspect's claim?
During interrogation, Lateef maintained that he had a decade-long relationship with the deceased, dating back to the construction phase of her home. He stated that financial distress struck after his commercial truck broke down beyond economical repair, forcing him to sell the vehicle as scrap for N3.5 million.
According to the suspect's statement, he handed over N3.45 million of the proceeds to Mrs Oluwaseun for safe custody under the premise that she would assist him in securing a loan for a replacement vehicle. He alleged that frustration mounted when she failed to provide the loan or return the cash, leading to his decision to break into her house through a window after consuming alcohol.
Did the victim's family corroborate the account?
In stark contrast to the suspect's narrative, relatives of the deceased have categorically rejected his claims. Family members stated they were completely unaware of any personal relationship or financial transactions between the victim and the detained neighbour.
The suspect remains in police custody undergoing further interrogation as authorities prepare to charge him to court in accordance with judicial procedures.