Retired Benue Judge’s Murder: Nephew, Driver, Two Others Paraded As Suspects

The police have apprehended four suspects linked to the brutal murder of retired President of the Benue State Customary Court, Justice Margaret Igbetar, 72, who was tragically killed in her residence on Wantor Kwange Street in Makurdi metropolis on August 24, 2023. At a press briefing held at the command headquarters in Makurdi on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka, revealed that one of the suspects, Aondohemba Joseph, who is the deceased’s nephew, had confessed to colluding with three other individuals to carry out the murder. CP Onyeka stated, “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.” He further elaborated, “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 investigation led to the apprehension of additional suspects. Igbazenda Gbidye, aged 63, and Dzungwenen Ukor, aged 40, were arrested in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area. These suspects confessed to being recruited by Aondohemba Joseph, who had claimed that his deceased father had left substantial property in the hands of his aunt (the deceased), and she had allegedly refused to transfer the said property to him. The group conspired to eliminate her so that Aondohemba could gain control of the property. Furthermore, Akuhwa Barnabas, aged 32, who worked as a driver for the deceased, was arrested and corroborated the suspects’ statements. He admitted to facilitating the gang’s access to the house and providing assistance during the commission of the crime. CP Onyeka expressed his gratitude to the people of Benue state for their patience and cooperation on the matter, whilst reassuring the community that the police would continue their efforts to combat crime in the state.