The Benue State Police Command has paraded four suspects in connection with the murder of the retired President of the Benue State Customary Court, Justice Margaret Igbetar.
The 72-year-old was tragically killed in her residence on Wantor Kwange Street in Makurdi metropolis on August 24, 2023.
During a press briefing at the command headquarters in Makurdi on Tuesday, October 3, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka, revealed that one of the suspects, Aondohemba Joseph, confessed to conspiring with three others to carry out the heinous act.
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Onyeka stated that the police were diligently investigating the case and are committed to bringing justice to the deceased and her family.
The Commissioner said:
“You will recall that on 24th August 2023, a case of Culpable Homicide involving the late Justice Margaret Mary Igbetar (RTD) was reported and I had promised to ensure that Justice is served. One Aondohemba Joseph, a Nephew of the deceased was arrested immediately.
“A more detailed and advanced investigation started when the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and handed over to the Operation Zenda investigative team to continue
“The suspect 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,63yrs old, and Dzungwenen Ukor, 40yrs old
“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 she has 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 old, 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.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the good people of Benue state for their patience and cooperation. The command will continue to do its best to rid the state of crime.”
