A PalmPay agent in Delta State has died from injuries sustained in a confrontation over a financed mobile phone that was remotely locked after payment defaults, according to accounts from his relatives and associates. Justin Azubike Owefu, popularly known as Biggie, died on September 13, 2026, three days after the incident. No arrests have been made, and his family has expressed concern that the case risks being neglected.
Owefu, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, worked as a PalmPay agent covering Obiaruku, Abraka and Warri. He was married and the father of a 10-year-old daughter. He was maternally from Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area and paternally from Aragba-Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Relatives and associates said the dispute arose from a phone-financing arrangement facilitated through PalmPay. Under the scheme, customers buy phones and pay in instalments; the devices are programmed to lock remotely if payments lapse. Moses Okitikpi of Abraka purchased a phone valued at ₦185,000 through Owefu, paying an initial deposit of ₦30,000 and agreeing to weekly instalments of ₦11,000.
According to the accounts, Okitikpi defaulted for several weeks, leading to the phone being restricted. Even after making some subsequent part-payments, he continued to demand immediate unlocking. His guarantor, Onome Okitikpi, described as Moses’s nephew and a POS operator near NUT Junction in Abraka was also involved in the matter.
On September 10, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., Owefu was confronted by Moses and Onome Okitikpi while on the road with his wife and daughter. The pair allegedly demanded that he unlock the phone at once. Owefu explained that the process was procedural and could take up to three days. The situation reportedly escalated: his phone and other personal belongings were forcibly taken. When he tried to retrieve his phone, he was pushed, fell and struck his head on the tarred road.
He sustained a serious head injury and developed internal complications. He remained in a coma for three days. Doctors recommended emergency surgery estimated to cost about ₦10 million. Owefu died on September 13.
The matter was reported at Abraka Police Station on September 11. Family and friends say the case has not received the attention they believe it deserves and fear it may be abandoned. No arrests have been made.
In a statement, Bright Edafe, identified as Ppro Delta, called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, to intervene urgently, conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
The accounts of the confrontation and its aftermath are based on information provided by Owefu’s relatives and associates. Police have not publicly commented on the status of the investigation.
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