The Suspected killers of Justice Margaret Igbetar, the retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Makurdi, Benue State, had confessed to have killed her for confiscating their family’s landed property.
On August 24, 2023 some gunmen burglarized the judge’s residence located at Wantor Kwange Street, opposite the School of Medicine, Benue State University, Makurdi.
She was killed and dumped in a secluded area where her remains were discovered by her relatives a few days later.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Bathlomew Onyeka, the deceased’s nephew identified as Aondohemba Joseph led a gang to the retired judge where she was killed.
Other suspects were; the driver of the late judge, security man and other relatives.
Onyeka said, “The suspect (nephew) 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, 63, and Dzungwenen Ukor, 40.”
According to the suspects, Aondohemba Joseph’s late father had landed properties which were confiscated by his aunt. They agreed to eliminate her in other to have access to his property.
Akuhwa Barnabas, a 32 year old driver to the deceased, admitted that he had given them access to the house to carry out their illicit act.
According to Onyeka, about 85 suspects of different crimes were arrested between July and the end of September 2023.
He likewise added that, “Seven kidnapped victims have been rescued within the period under review while 12 locally made pistols, four AK47 Rifles, four single and double barrel guns, 160 Ammunition and four cartridges were recovered.
