I Smoked Marijuana Before Stabbing my Friend Over N7,000 Unpaid Loan —Murder Suspect

In a shocking incident in Ogun State, scaffolder Onuh Thomas Stephen stands accused of fatally stabbing his colleague and friend, Anayo Francis, during a dispute over an unpaid N7,000 loan. The tragic event unfolded as Francis demanded repayment from Stephen, who, in a surprising revelation, admitted to having consumed marijuana just before the violent altercation.

Arrested by detectives from Sango Division in the Ogun State Police Command, 28-year-old Stephen allegedly plunged a kitchen knife into 23-year-old Francis’s chest after a heated argument regarding the outstanding loan. Francis, reportedly infuriated by Stephen’s refusal to repay despite receiving his salary, succumbed to the injuries after being rushed to the hospital.

The confrontation arose when Francis, aware that Stephen had received his salary, approached him to settle the debt. Despite Stephen’s insistence on not having the funds, a heated exchange escalated into a physical altercation. In the course of the fight, Stephen retrieved a knife, ultimately leading to the fatal stabbing.

Police spokeswoman SP Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident, stating that Francis was pronounced dead at the hospital, prompting Stephen’s arrest. In an interview, the suspect detailed the financial strain that led to the borrowing and explained the unfortunate turn of events that culminated in his friend’s death.

Stephen, who hails from Benue State, arrived in Ogun State in January 2022 for scaffolding work at a church in Ota. Recounting the circumstances that led to the tragedy, he mentioned borrowing N7,000 from Francis to cover medical expenses for his wife’s childbirth.

Expressing regret over the incident, Stephen claimed that he never anticipated the confrontation turning violent. However, he did admit to smoking marijuana before the fight, adding a complicating factor to the unfolding tragedy.

The suspect’s account of the events leading up to the stabbing highlights a tragic sequence of financial strain, escalating tensions, and a fatal outcome. The investigation into this devastating incident is ongoing as the community grapples with the repercussions of this senseless act of violence.