By THE Delta State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old security guard, identified as Godwin Mngumi, over the alleged murder of retired jurist, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, in her Asaba residence.
Justice Okogwu was discovered dead on Monday morning, following what authorities and relatives describe as a shocking and suspicious incident that occurred overnight on Sunday at her home located behind The Pointer Newspapers in the Delta State capital.
CP Olufemi Abaniwonda
Her brother, Ogbueshi Godfrey Okogwu, confirmed the tragedy in an earlier interview, saying:
“My eldest sister was murdered in her house on Sunday night. We only received the news on Monday morning, so we presume the incident happened during the night.”
He added that the family was alarmed by the disappearance of the night security guard assigned to the property. According to him, the morning guard arrived to find the gate wide open.
“He said he simply sat there. Sat there doing what? I do not know. I do not understand this situation at all,” the visibly distressed brother questioned, raising concerns about the conduct of the security personnel.
The family has provided police with details of the private security company responsible for the guards. The morning guard was said to have been detained, while the owner of the security firm has reportedly been invited for questioning.
Providing an update on the investigation at the weekend after earlier declaring the security guard wanted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, acting on intelligence, apprehended Mngumi who allegedly fled to Anambra State after the incident.
Police said the mobile phone of the late retired justice was recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest.
He reportedly confessed to inviting two others, one Nnaji Obalum, who has also been arrested, and another still at large, to the house, where they allegedly committed the crime.
Obalum has also been taken into custody, while efforts to track down the third suspect are ongoing.
The Delta State Police Command assured the public that it remains committed to ensuring justice is served and perpetrators of such grievous offences are brought to book.
