By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State Police Command has alleged that former president of Customary Court of Appeal, Makurdi, the late Honourable Justice Margaret Igbetar (rtd), was murdered by her nephew, Joseph Aondohemba, and his collaborators to enable him access his late father’s property which he claimed was in the custody of the deceased.
A statement by the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, quoted Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bartholomew Onyeka, stating this during a press briefing held his office at the state command on Tuesday.
CP Onyeka reportedly said Joseph Aondohemba engaged other crime partners from Adikpo, Kwande LGA of the state as well as the late Justice Igbetar’s driver to help him perpetrate the homicide and they allegedly confessed to committing the crime during police investigation.
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The PPRO’s statement entitled: “Benue Command Unravels the Enigma Behind the Death of Justice Margaret Igbetar (Rtd)”, reads in part:
“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 advance 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 have 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 can have access to his property.
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“One Akuhwa Barnabas 32yrs 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 it’s [sic] best to rid the state of crime”.
