A financial dispute involving a ₦9 million commercial bus has taken a tragic turn following the death by suicide of Mr Otum Bright Neji, a Cross River State resident who had stood as guarantor for his friend in the vehicle purchase.
Neji, who was of mixed Cross River and Igbo heritage, reportedly became involved in the dispute through his friendship with Mr David Abiodun Ige, popularly known as IG, an indigene of Akure.
The two reportedly became close after meeting at a property where they were both tenants.
According to the account surrounding the dispute, Ige had previously purchased a vehicle from Osas Motors, owned by Mr Osas, with Neji initially standing as his surety.
It was later discovered that Ige had not completed payment for the vehicle. He subsequently obtained a ₦400,000 loan, with an additional ₦400,000 interest, bringing the repayment obligation to ₦800,000.
The outstanding ₦400,000 payment on the vehicle was eventually settled, after which Ige reportedly sold the vehicle for more than ₦1 million.
Following that transaction, Ige again approached Neji to stand as guarantor for the purchase of a commercial bus from Osas Motors.
The bus was valued at approximately ₦9 million, with an agreed repayment arrangement of ₦85,000 monthly.
Although Neji was initially reluctant to guarantee the transaction, he eventually agreed and accompanied Ige to obtain the bus.
However, Ige reportedly defaulted on the payment arrangement after making payments for only about three weeks.
Concerned about the developing situation, Neji reportedly advised Ige to return the bus to Osas Motors.
It was during their journey to return the vehicle, according to the account, that Ige allegedly fled with the bus, leaving Neji behind.
Following the incident, the owner of Osas Motors reportedly held Neji responsible for the outstanding financial obligation because of his position as guarantor.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, while Neji was invited for questioning and later released.
He was reportedly expected to return to the police station to discuss possible arrangements for resolving the outstanding obligation and to assist in efforts to locate Ige.
However, on September 8, 2026, Neji reportedly died by suicide.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns about the emotional and financial pressures associated with guarantor obligations and unresolved financial disputes.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the circumstances that led to Neji’s death or any official finding establishing the financial dispute as the direct cause.
The whereabouts of the commercial bus and the status of efforts to locate Mr Ige were also not immediately established from the account available.
The development leaves the ₦9 million vehicle dispute unresolved, while attention is expected to remain on the circumstances surrounding Neji’s death and the efforts to determine the whereabouts of the vehicle and his friend.
