Retired Benue Customary Court of Appeal Justice Is Dead

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A retired Justice of the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State Justice Margaret Igbetar is dead.

She was reportedly murdered by unknown persons. Her dead body was discovered by her son in her residence located at No. 1, Wantor Kwange street, opposite School of Medicine, Benue State University (BSU), Gboko road, Makurdi, the state capital on Thursday night.

However, as at the time of filing this report, it could not be ascertained whether the retired Judge who was found in a pool of blood was shot or stabbed by her assailants.

It was further gathered that, the justice luminary may have been assassinated days before her lifeless body was discovered on Thursday night.

Sources close to the family said that at the time she was discovered dead, her corpse had started to decompose, adding that immediately the discovery was made, the murder was reported to the “E” Division Police station.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue state command, SP Sewuese Anene said she was yet to get details on the incident but promised to get back to our correspondent.

Though the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Daniel Ezeala could not be immediately reached for comments, competent police sources confirmed the incident.

The source said, “Yes, its true. Yesterday, Thursday, August 24, 2023, her lifeless body was discovered in her house but the corpse was not looking too okay; meaning that it (death) couldn’t have happened yesterday (Thursday), may be it happened on Wednesday”.

The source vowed that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder of Justice Igbetar, adding that “the son is giving useful information that may lead to the arrest” of suspects in connection with the murder.

The late Justice served as member,Election Petition Tribunal, Bauchi State between 1998 and 1999, National, Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Imo/Abia State in 1999, Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal, Kebbi State 1999 as well as member, Benue State Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution in 2000.