- Safiu Kehinde
The body of late female interior designer, Deborah Okworie, who was murdered by her ex-lover, Ugali Lintez, has been buried by her family members at her hometown in Benue State.
Deborah, popularly known as Deb’rah Porsche, was gruesomely murdered at her Ogba residence in Lagos by Ugali.
The tragic incident occurred on the 6th of September after the Ugali, disguised as a dispatch rider, gained access into the estate where Deborah resides.
While the ex-lover had been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, Deborah’s body was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Prior to the final burial, a service of songs was held on in Ayetoro, Ogun State.
Her body departed the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital mortuary on Tuesday for Ugaga Ohuhu Owo in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The remains of the budding interior designer arrived at her hometown at about 12:am where she was buried amid tears.
A video posted on X by activist Meddy Olotu, shows Deborah’s grief-stricken mother weeping before her photo before she was led away by sympathizers.
Recounting Deborah’s murder in an exclusive interview with the Vanguard, the elder sister of the late interior designer Hope Okworie disclosed how Ugali had been stalking the victim relentlessly since their breakup over a year ago.
Ugali allegedly used different phone numbers and social media accounts to reach her and threaten her.
On the day of the attack, Ugali had reportedly disguised as a dispatch rider and gained access into Deborah’s apartment where he initially attempted to cause an explosion by cutting a cooking gas pipe.
With the plot failing, Ugali allegedly broke into the apartment forcefully and stabbed Deborah to death.
“He kept calling and threatening my sister. At one point, he even pretended to be sick, sending photos from a hospital bed to lure her back. My sister blocked him everywhere, but he kept coming back.
“On the day of the attack, Wednesday evening, the suspect reportedly disguised as a dispatch rider to gain access into the estate. My sister was the only one at home, as I had left with my other sister for work on the Island. We were on night shift. It was not up to one hour after we left the house in Ogba that I received a call that she had been attacked.
“She had locked only the net door. He first cut the gas pipe outside the kitchen, hoping to cause an explosion, but when that failed, he broke the net door, forced his way in and pounced on her.
“After breaking into the apartment, he repeatedly stabbed Deborah in the back and chest.” the sister of the deceased said.
One of the neighbours, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the family’s account.
“We heard Deborah’s voice screaming for help, and when we got inside the apartment, we found her in a pool of blood.
“The suspect was lying on the floor pretending to be dead. Later, he started shouting that she stabbed him on the neck to create the impression of a fight. But there was no cut on his neck.
“By the time we rushed her to the hospital, the doctor confirmed her dead, saying that it was one of the stabs at her back that pierced her lungs deeply.” She said.
Meanwhile, Hope also raised suspicions about a phone call earlier that day from the suspect’s mother.
“Ironically, earlier that morning, his mother had placed a call to Deborah. We don’t know why she called her, only for this to happen in the evening. Even his family knows the kind of son they have.”
She revealed that Deborah was not the first target of the suspect’s violent obsession.
“After this incident, we got to know that the girl he dated before also had to relocate because of his threats. He once told my sister that if he didn’t marry Deborah, blood would flow. We thought he was joking. Now, he has fulfilled that threat.” She said.
The late 30-year-old interior designer was described as a hardworking, easygoing, and on the verge of a major career breakthrough in interior design.
“She had just secured her first N13 million contract and was about to sign another. She was building her brand and supporting her younger siblings after our mother’s retirement. Now, he has cut her life short,” Hope lamented as she called for justice.
“We want a thorough investigation. He planned this murder. He should not escape justice.” She added.