Police in Benue have confirmed the arrest of a man named Aondohemba Joseph over the death of a retired president of Benue Customary Court of Appeal Justice Margaret Igbetar.
Benue police spokesman Sewuese Anene confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday in Makurdi.
The 73-year-old Igbetar, who retired on October 17, 2015, was said to be living a private life and was hardly seen in public.
Anene said the judge was found in a pool of her blood in her kitchen on Friday, with deep cuts on her back.
“On August 24, information was received at ‘E’ Police Division Makurdi, that Justice Margaret Igbetar (retd), 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 body in a pool of blood inside her kitchen. It was also observed that she had deep cuts on her back.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Aondohemba Joseph and recovery of exhibits for detailed investigation,” the police spokesperson said in the statement.
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The statement further quoted the state commissioner of police Bartholomew Onyeka condemning the act.
Onyeka further assured that he would unravel the mystery behind the death and bring the perpetrators of the barbaric act to book.
Igbetar was born on October 17, 1950, in Mbape, Shangev-ya, Tsar-Mbaduku, in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.
She started her career as the assistant registrar, Grade I Area Court, Katsina-Ala, Benue State in 1971, and rose to become a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal in 1995, a position she held till 2003 when she was appointed president of the court.
Igbetar was a founding member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Benue State, a life member, the first chairperson of the Benue branch and a national trustee of the association.
The late justice served as a member of the Election Petition Tribunal, Bauchi State between 1998 and 1999, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Imo/Abia State in 1999 and the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Kebbi State.
She was also a member of the committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution in 2000.
