The alleged perpetrators responsible for the killing of retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Margaret Igbetar, in Makurdi, Benue State, have admitted to their involvement in her murder, citing a dispute over their family’s property as the motive.
On August 24, 2023, a group of armed individuals attacked Justice Igbetar’s residence, located on Wantor Kwange Street, across from the School of Medicine at Benue State University in Makurdi, resulting in her tragic death. Her remains were discovered in a decomposed state by her relatives a few days later.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police Batholomew Onyeka revealed that the deceased’s nephew, identified as Aondohemba Joseph, had led a group to the retired judge’s residence, where the fatal incident occurred. Additionally, other individuals arrested and presented to the public included the late judge’s driver, security personnel, and additional relatives.
The CP said, “The suspect (nephew) who eventually confessed to having planned and recruited other people to help him in killing his aunty led a team of detectives to Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area where the following suspects were arrested; Igbazenda Gbidye, 63, and Dzungwenen Ukor, 40.
“These suspects admitted that Aondohemba Joseph had reported to them that his father died and left so much property in the hands of his aunty (the deceased) and that she had refused to hand the said property over to him. They agreed to join him in eliminating her so that he could have access to his property.
“One Akuhwa Barnabas 32 years, a driver to the deceased who was also arrested, corroborated their statements by admitting that he was the one who allowed the gang access to the house and manned the gate for them until they finished the assassination process.”
The Police boss also disclosed that between July and the end of September 2023, the Command had arrested 85 suspects for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, culpable homicide, armed robbery, cultism, rape, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He added, “Seven kidnapped victims have been rescued within the period under review while 12 locally made pistols, four AK47 Rifles, four single/double barrel guns, 160 Ammunition and four cartridges were recovered.
