Fresh details have emerged on the killing of a retired Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, following the confession of the prime suspect, who said the crime was carried out to steal the judge’s phones and other valuables.
The suspect, 25-year-old Godwin Mngumi, made the confession on Tuesday when he was paraded by the Delta State Police Command in Asaba. During questioning by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, Mngumi admitted that he and two others attacked the retired judge inside her residence and gagged her in the process of stealing her belongings.
Justice Okogwu, a respected jurist who once served as the Chief Judge of Delta State, was found dead in her home in a development that shocked residents of the state and the wider legal community across Nigeria.
Mngumi told the police that he had recently been employed as a security guard at the residence of the retired judge before the incident occurred. According to him, he had worked at the house for less than two weeks before committing the crime.
“I had just been employed as a security guard there. It was just a week plus. We did not plan to kill her; we only planned to take her phone,” the suspect said.
He explained that he invited two other young men to assist him in carrying out the plan. One of them, identified as Nnaji Obalum, 21, was also paraded by the police, while the third suspect is still on the run.
According to Mngumi, the plan was to dispossess the retired judge of her mobile phones and other valuables. However, the situation escalated after they tied her hands and legs and gagged her to prevent her from raising alarm.
“When we went there, we tied her hands and her legs. We took her phone, wristwatch, necklace and power bank,” he said.
Police investigations revealed that Justice Okogwu owned two mobile phones. Mngumi disclosed that his accomplice, Obalum, kept one of the phones, described as a Samsung smartphone, while the smaller phone was sold for an undisclosed amount.
Obalum, who was also questioned during the police parade, confirmed that he was arrested with the Samsung phone belonging to the deceased.
“The Samsung phone was found with me. I put my SIM inside,” Obalum said.
Both suspects expressed regret over their actions and pleaded for forgiveness, saying they did not intend for the crime to result in death.
SP Bright Edafe, who addressed journalists during the parade, confirmed that the suspects’ statements aligned with findings from the ongoing investigation. He said efforts were being intensified to arrest the third suspect who is currently at large.
Edafe, who also shared a video of the suspects’ confession on his official social media handle, used the opportunity to warn residents of Delta State to be more careful when employing domestic staff and security personnel.
He advised members of the public to properly screen and verify the background of anyone they intend to grant access to their homes, noting that insider involvement has become a common factor in many robbery and murder cases.
The killing of Justice Okogwu has sparked outrage and deep sorrow across Delta State and beyond. Many residents described the incident as painful and disturbing, especially given the status of the victim as a retired judicial officer who had served the state with dedication.
Justice Ifeoma Okogwu was widely known for her years of service in the judiciary and her role in the administration of justice in Delta State. After her retirement, she reportedly lived a quiet life, away from public attention.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other legal bodies have also expressed shock over the incident, describing it as an attack not only on an individual but on the justice system as a whole.
In Delta State, the police command has stepped up efforts to reassure residents of safety, promising that all those involved in the killing of Justice Okogwu will be brought to justice.
SP Edafe reiterated the commitment of the command to thorough investigation and prosecution of the suspects, adding that the police would leave no stone unturned in tracking down the fleeing accomplice.
He also urged the public to provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect, assuring that such information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
“This case should serve as a strong warning. People must be careful who they bring into their homes. Verify addresses, ask questions, and where possible, involve community leaders and security agencies,” Edafe said.
Residents of the area where the crime occurred described Justice Okogwu as peaceful and kind-hearted. Some neighbours said they were still struggling to come to terms with the manner of her death.
As investigations continue, many Nigerians are calling for tougher punishment for violent crimes and better protection for retired public servants who may live alone or without adequate security.
The Delta State Government is also expected to make an official statement on the incident, as public pressure grows for improved security measures and justice for the slain retired judge.
For now, the confession of the suspects has provided some clarity on how the crime was carried out, even as it deepens the pain of a loss that many believe could have been avoided.