Skip to Main content

21.37°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 4, 2026 4:55 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Former Kamloops lawyer convicted of first-degree murder in killing of client

Share On

former-kamloops-lawyer-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-in-killing-of-client

Exterior of the B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops, where Rogelio Bagabuyo was convicted of first-degree murder. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

A former Kamloops lawyer has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of one of his clients, a Thompson Rivers University lecturer whose death shocked the local legal and academic communities.

Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court for the March 11, 2022 killing of Mohd Abdullah. The court heard that Bagabuyo stabbed Abdullah multiple times inside his law office after stealing nearly $800,000 from him, money that had been entrusted for legal matters.

Prosecutors said the killing was planned and deliberate, noting that Bagabuyo attempted to conceal the crime by placing Abdullah’s body into a large tote bag and removing it from the office. Abdullah, a business lecturer at Thompson Rivers University, was reported missing by family members after he failed to return home.

The case raised serious concerns within the legal profession in British Columbia, particularly around lawyer oversight, trust accounts, and client protections. The Law Society of British Columbia disbarred Bagabuyo following his arrest, citing multiple breaches of professional conduct tied to the theft of client funds.

The conviction brings a measure of closure to Abdullah’s family and colleagues, while also prompting renewed discussion about safeguards in the province’s legal system to prevent similar abuses of trust.

Latest news

30-year-old-womans-death-in-fort-st-james-deemed-suspicious-rcmp-investigating

30-Year-Old Woman’s Death in Fort St. James Deemed Suspicious, RCMP Investigating

The B.C. RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman in Fort St. James as suspicious. The woman has been identified as Dayna Monk, and investigators are appealing to the public for information that could assist with the case. According to Fort St. James RCMP, emergency health services were called to a home in the 400-block of Stuart Drive on May 31 following reports that a woman was experiencing cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, the woman could not be saved. Initial investigations did not indicate any criminal involvement in her death. However, foll

david-eby-instructs-ndp-to-be-ready-for-the-election

David Eby Instructs NDP to Be Ready for the Election

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he has told NDP legislators to be “election ready” amid the disruption caused by the ongoing trade war with the United States. Eby said Cheryl Oates, his former acting chief of staff, will manage the NDP’s campaign for the next provincial election whenever it is called. However, he did not announce any date for the vote. The premier said he has informed both Elections B.C. and the NDP caucus that they need to be prepared for an election. His comments come as the Opposition B.C. Conservatives face internal changes, with nine members having left the

surrey-mayor-brenda-locke-slams-release-of-high-risk-offenders

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke Slams Release of High-Risk Offenders

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has expressed strong concern after two high-risk offenders were released into the city within just two days. Following a public warning issued by the Surrey Police Service, Locke said violent offenders such as Jonathan Muzichka and Skyler Pelletier should not be released to live in Surrey. She said Surrey is home to more than 700,000 people and allowing high-risk offenders to repeatedly settle in the community raises serious concerns about public safety. Locke said she supports rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, but the responsibility of managing high-risk

poilievre-calls-on-carney-to-clarify-canada-eu-talks

Poilievre Calls on Carney to Clarify Canada-EU Talks

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to clarify discussions surrounding Canada’s potential associate membership, special alliance or any other proposed arrangement with the European Union. Poilievre said the Conservative Party’s position is clear: it fully supports Canada’s decades-old free trade relationship and NATO alliance with Europe, but strongly opposes imposing any European taxes, laws or open-border immigration policies on Canadians. He said Canada is an independent, sovereign country and that these principles cannot be compromised. Meanw

North Island College Campus Attack Leaves Two Injured

An attack at North Island College’s Comox Valley campus in British Columbia has left two people injured. Police said they received multiple reports of an attack involving a sharp weapon inside a college residence building at around 12:53 a.m. Front-line officers who arrived at the scene found two young people injured and arrested a suspect after identifying him. Comox Valley RCMP Constable Monica Terragni said the suspect is a 21-year-old man from Burnaby who remains in custody. The two injured victims were taken to hospital and are reportedly in stable condition. Police said the motive behi

Related News

30-Year-Old Woman’s Death in Fort St. James Deemed Suspicious, RCMP Investigating

30-Year-Old Woman’s Death in Fort St. James Deemed Suspicious, RCMP Investigating

The B.C. RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman in Fort St. James as suspicious. The woman has been identified as Dayna Monk, and investigators are appealing to the public for information that could assist with the case. According to Fort St. James RCMP, emergency health services were called to a home in the 400-block of Stuart Drive on May 31 following reports that a woman was experiencing cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, the woman could not be saved. Initial investigations did not indicate any criminal involvement in her death. However, foll

David Eby Instructs NDP to Be Ready for the Election

David Eby Instructs NDP to Be Ready for the Election

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he has told NDP legislators to be “election ready” amid the disruption caused by the ongoing trade war with the United States. Eby said Cheryl Oates, his former acting chief of staff, will manage the NDP’s campaign for the next provincial election whenever it is called. However, he did not announce any date for the vote. The premier said he has informed both Elections B.C. and the NDP caucus that they need to be prepared for an election. His comments come as the Opposition B.C. Conservatives face internal changes, with nine members having left the

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke Slams Release of High-Risk Offenders

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke Slams Release of High-Risk Offenders

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has expressed strong concern after two high-risk offenders were released into the city within just two days. Following a public warning issued by the Surrey Police Service, Locke said violent offenders such as Jonathan Muzichka and Skyler Pelletier should not be released to live in Surrey. She said Surrey is home to more than 700,000 people and allowing high-risk offenders to repeatedly settle in the community raises serious concerns about public safety. Locke said she supports rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, but the responsibility of managing high-risk

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital