Okwudili Ndiwe: Derico Nwamama | Principals & Principalities Podcast

In December 2000, 55 passengers on a Lagos-to-Onitsha bus were executed at Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha. The man who ordered it was 22 years old. His name was Okwudili Ndiwe — better known as Derico Nwamama — and he was already the most wanted criminal in Southeast Nigeria.In this episode of Principals & Principalities, host Ayomide Odubonojo-Kinoshi tells the full story of Derico Nwamama in Anambra, from a market pickpocket on the streets of Onitsha, to the feared partner of Anambra crime lord Chiejina, to a one-man reign of terror that claimed over 100 lives — including 25 police officers. This week we tell the full story of Derico Nwamama who, operated a criminal syndicate remotely from Abuja. We examine the charms, the belief in Odeshi that made him feel untouchable and how he was captured by the state-sanctioned vigilante group, the Bakassi Boys.This episode asks the question that defines this podcast: In Nigeria, is crime ever just crime?Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes research, upcoming cases, and episode drops.Follow us On⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(x)