Shocking Confession:Ebonyi Apprentice Says Sister’s Call Triggered Murder Of His ‘Oga’

Chiemerie Anieke (left) late Ikechukwu Nwite( right)

A 21-year-old apprentice from Ebonyi State, Chiemerie Anieke, has confessed to killing his master, Ikechukwu Nwite, in Onitsha, Anambra State, allegedly following his master’s sister call.
Anieke, who was apprenticed at the Drug Market, popularly known as Ogbo-Ogwu, Bridge Head, Onitsha, said a phone call from his master’s sister, informing his master that he had not returned home that night, led to the events that culminated in the killing.
Speaking with journalists at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Anambra State, Anieke said he was ready to face the consequences of his actions.
“I’m ready to face the consequences of my actions , either death by hanging or shooting. I’m ready to die and face judgment because I know I will not be forgiven even if I ask for it,” he said.
He maintained that it was not his original intention to kill his master, but claimed that alleged maltreatment and the phone call from his master’s sister, which he said resulted in instructions that he be locked out of the house, pushed him to act.
Anieke admitted to striking his master with a pestle and attacking the sister with the same object.
However, he denied returning home late on the day of the incident or being under the influence of drugs.
Recounting events leading up to the incident, he said that in July last year, he met a friend, Nnabuife, at Ogbo-Ogwu market and asked for help in opening a bank account to save money.
According to him, the account was opened and monitored through a Point of Sale (PoS) operator until the savings reached ₦5 million.
He alleged that when he asked Nnabuife, who is currently in police custody, to withdraw the money so he could establish his own business and quit his apprenticeship, the amount handed over to him was incomplete , slightly above ₦3 million.
“When I complained, he threatened to collect the entire money, insisting it was his gain for assisting me in opening and monitoring the account. That got me angry because I had already planned what to do with the money,” he said.
On the day of the incident, which occurred on a Saturday around, Anieke said he did not return home late and did not visit any girlfriend.
Instead, he claimed he was sick and went to a chemist to buy medication after informing his master’s sister.
“Before I returned, she had already called my master to tell him I was not at home, and he instructed that I should not be allowed into the house,” he said.
He stated that he remained outside for some time until his master’s wife, unaware of the directive, opened the door for him. He said he stayed in the kitchen until about 3 a.m. when his master returned.
“As he entered, I took the ‘aka odo’ (pestle) from the kitchen and struck him three times on the back of the head. I then rushed to the room where the sister was sleeping and hit her as well. She woke up and struggled with me over the pestle before running out to call for help,” he narrated.
Anieke further claimed he had heard rumours that his master had discovered his savings and was planning to seize the money and punish him out.
He also complained that despite repeated requests, his master refused to buy him a phone, making him the only person in the compound without one.
He denied that drugs or alcohol influenced his actions, attributing the incident to what he described as “the devil’s manipulation.”
“I used to take tramadol, but when my master discovered it, he warned me and I stopped. It was neither drugs nor alcohol that caused it. I can’t explain what came over me that day,” he said.
Anieke said he relocated to Onitsha in 2023 to learn the trade at the instance of his elder brother, who knew his master. He explained that his parents, who are peasant farmers, could not afford to sponsor his university education despite his passing the WAEC and JAMB examinations.
According to him, his relationship with his master was cordial initially but later deteriorated.
He alleged that on one occasion, his master confronted and assaulted him after he returned from a church activity, demanding to know where he had been. He said his elder brother advised him to endure the treatment as part of the apprenticeship process.
The young apprentice, described as calm and unemotional while speaking with reporters, reiterated his readiness to face punishment.
“I’m ready to face the consequences. Since I will not be forgiven, there is no need asking for forgiveness,” he repeated.
Anieke had spent less than three years under his master, Ikechukwu Nwite, popularly known as “Turn-by-Turn,” who was also from Ebonyi State.
He reportedly had about four years remaining before the completion of his apprenticeship.
A neighbour, who identified himself as Peter Kalu, offered a slightly different account. He said the master had instructed that the apprentice should not be allowed into the house if he returned late and should instead go back to where he came from.
According to the neighbour, the apprentice allegedly sneaked into the house through the kitchen, hid behind the door, and waited for his master.
“Immediately the master entered through the kitchen, the apprentice rushed at him and struck him three times on the head with a pestle.
He then ran to the sister’s room and attacked her. The master’s wife eventually disarmed him and raised the alarm, which attracted neighbours who apprehended him and handed him over to the police,” the neighbour said.
The master was later confirmed dead, and his body has been deposited in a morgue. His sister is reportedly receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.