Delta State: Suspect Confesses to Killing Retired Judge During Robbery
Godwin Mngumi, the prime suspect in the murder of retired Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, has admitted to killing her while attempting to steal her phones and other valuables.
The 25-year-old suspect was paraded in a video released by Delta State Police spokesperson Bright Edafe on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. In his statement, Mngumi explained that he recruited two accomplices to rob the deceased of items including a wristwatch, jewellery, and a power bank.
Mngumi said he had only recently been employed as a security guard at the retired judge’s residence, working there for less than two weeks before the crime occurred.
He confessed: “We did not plan to kill her; our intention was only to take her phone. When we got there, we tied her hands and legs. We took her phone, wristwatch, necklace, and power bank.”
According to the suspect, Justice Okogwu had two phones. His accomplice, 21-year-old Nnaji Obalum, kept the larger Samsung phone, while the smaller phone was sold for an undisclosed amount. Obalum, who was also paraded by the police, admitted possession of the Samsung handset, stating, “The Samsung phone was found with me. I put my SIM inside.”
Both Mngumi and Obalum expressed remorse for their actions and appealed for forgiveness.
Bright Edafe confirmed that a third suspect linked to the murder is still at large. He also urged residents to carefully screen domestic staff and security personnel before granting them access to their homes.
According to reports by PUNCH Metro, Justice Okogwu was found dead late on Sunday, November 23, at her home behind The Pointer Newspapers in Asaba. Investigations revealed that the killers bound her hands and legs and ransacked the house in what appeared to be a targeted and violent robbery.
Operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department arrested Mngumi on December 6 in Anambra State, where he had fled shortly after committing the crime.
