By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Police Command has arrested a suspect, one Aondohemba Joseph, in connection with the assassination of the Honourable Justice Margaret Movihinze Igbetar, former president of the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State.
A source close to the family, who pleaded not to be mentioned for safety reasons, told National Record via a phone call on Friday that the decomposing body of the retired Hon. Justice was discovered by her son in a pool of blood on Thursday night in her residence located at No. 1, Wantor Kwange Street, opposite College of Medicine, Benue State University (BSU), Gboko Road, Makurdi.
The incident was immediately reported to the police at E Division, Makurdi.
However, Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect to journalists on Saturday said, the corpse of the victim was discovered following a search by the police when their detectives were deployed to the victim’s house after receiving information from the E Division.
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“On 24/8/2023 at about 1530hrs information was received at ‘E’ Police Division Makurdi, that Justice Margaret Mary Igbetar (rtd) could not respond to calls and was nowhere to be found. Detectives were immediately deployed for investigation.
“A search conducted within her house at Wantor Kwange Street, Gboko Road, Makurdi, led to the discovery of her dead body in a pool of blood inside her kitchen. It was also observed that she had deep cuts at her back.
‘Further investigation led to the arrest of one Aondohemba Joseph and recovery of exhibits for detailed investigation.
“While commiserating with family and friends of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka PSC (+) has condemned this dastardly act. He assures them of his commitment to ensure that he unravel the mystery behind the death and bring perpetuators of this barbaric act to book,” Anene said.
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Asked who is Aondohemba Joseph and what exhibits were recovered from him, the PPRO said, “that’s classified information for the police to say but the press can further investigate to write more”.
While alive, the late Justice Margaret, wife of the late Engr Joseph Igbetar, served as member, Election Petition Tribunal, Bauchi State between 1998 and 1999, National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Imo/Abia State in 1999, Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal, Kebbi State 1999 as well as member, Benue State Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution in 2000.
