Benue Police parade nephew, others over murder of Justice Igbetar

 

The Benue State Police Command has paraded four persons who allegedly murdered Justice Margaret Igbetar, a former President of the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal.

The State Commissioner of Police, Bathelomew Onyeka, who briefed journalists in Makurdi, noted that on August 24, 2023, a case of culpable homicide involving the late Justice Igbetar (rtd) was reported to the Command.

Onyeka explained that following the report, Aondohemba Joseph, a nephew of the deceased, was immediately arrested.

Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation was launched when the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and handed over to the Operation Zenda Investigative Team for further inquiries.

He stated, “The suspect, who eventually confessed to planning and recruiting others to assist in the killing of his aunt, led a team of detectives to Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, where additional suspects were apprehended.

“The arrested suspects confessed that Aondohemba Joseph had reported that his father died, leaving significant property in the hands of his aunt (the deceased), who he claimed had refused to relinquish the said property to him. They conspired to eliminate her to gain access to the property.

“On top of the initial arrest, Akuhwa Barnabas, a 32-year-old driver to the deceased, was also apprehended. He admitted allowing the gang access to the house and managing the gate for them during the assassination.”

The suspects, during interviews with journalists, confessed to their respective roles in the murder of Justice Igbetar.

Recalls that the 72-year-old judicial officer was brutally murdered in her residence on Wantor Kwange Street in Makurdi metropolis on August 24.