Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A PalmPay agent in Delta State, Mr Justin Azubuike Ewofobe, popularly known as “Biggie”, has died following an alleged confrontation over a locked mobile phone, prompting his family and associates to call for an urgent and impartial investigation.
Biggie, an industrious young man, hailed maternally from Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area and paternally from Aragba-Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He was a husband, a father to a 10-year-old daughter, and a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka. He operated as a PalmPay agent across Obiaruku, Abraka and Warri.
According to accounts from relatives and associates, Biggie was involved in PalmPay’s phone-financing scheme, through which customers could acquire phones and repay in instalments.
The phones could be remotely locked when customers defaulted on their payments.
The incident reportedly began after one Moses Okitikpi of Abraka obtained a phone valued at ₦185,000 through Biggie. He reportedly paid ₦30,000 upfront and agreed to pay the remaining amount at ₦11,000 weekly.
Moses allegedly defaulted on the agreed weekly payments for several weeks, resulting in the phone being restricted.
Even after making some subsequent payments, he reportedly continued to demand that the phone be unlocked immediately.
His guarantor, Onome Okitikpi, said to be Moses’ nephew and a POS operator around NUT Junction in Abraka, was also allegedly involved in the dispute.
On 10 September 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., Biggie was reportedly confronted by Moses and Onome while he was on the road with his wife and daughter.
They allegedly demanded that he unlock the phone immediately. Biggie reportedly explained that the unlocking process was procedural and could not be completed instantly, and that it could take up to three days.
The situation allegedly became physical, with Biggie’s phone and other personal belongings reportedly taken from him.
It was further alleged that while attempting to retrieve his phone, Biggie was pushed, causing him to fall and hit his head on the tarred road.
He reportedly suffered a severe head injury and subsequently developed internal complications.
He remained in a coma for three days, while doctors recommended emergency surgery estimated to cost about ₦10 million.
Sadly, Biggie died on 13 September 2026, three days after the incident.
The matter was reportedly reported at the Abraka Police Station on 11 September 2026.
However, family members and friends are concerned that the case has not received the attention it deserves.
They fear it could be abandoned or swept under the carpet, particularly as no arrest has reportedly been made since the incident.
They are calling on the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, to urgently intervene, conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, and ensure that anyone found culpable faces justice.
A young husband, father, son and hardworking member of the community has lost his life over an issue that could have been peacefully resolved.
Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, in response to Stonix News enquiry on Sunday morning, said operatives of the command are on the trail of the suspect.
