Delta State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old security guard, Godwin Mngumi, in connection with the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State. Mngumi, who was assigned to guard the late jurist’s residence, was apprehended following an intelligence-led operation.
Police also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from Mngumi. According to Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, the suspect confessed during interrogation and revealed that he did not act alone. He implicated an accomplice, Nnaji Obalum, and another unidentified individual in the crime, stating that they collectively carried out the killing at the judge’s home.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Homicide Section arrested Godwin Mngumi, 25, who allegedly murdered Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (Rtd),” SP Bright said. “The phone of the late justice was recovered from him. He confessed that he invited Nnaji Obalum and one other suspect, still at large, to the house where they committed the crime together. Nnaji Obalum has also been arrested, and a manhunt for the third suspect is ongoing.”
Sources disclosed that Mngumi fled Anambra State immediately after the murder but was traced to Delta State, where authorities eventually arrested him. The police assured the public that all individuals involved in the crime would be apprehended and prosecuted.
Justice Okogwu was found dead at her residence at No. 8 Tom Halen Street, behind IBTC Bank, Asaba, with her hands and legs tied and her mouth gagged with a wrapper. Her brother, Emeka Okogwu, discovered the body around 8:00 a.m. and reported it to the police.
Following the report, patrol teams were dispatched to the scene, and the body was taken to Maduemeie Hospital Mortuary, Asaba. Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of another guard, Lucky Matthew, while a third guard, Godwin Vanen, remains missing.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba for further discreet investigation. Forensic analysis is ongoing to determine the motive behind the killing and to establish the specific roles of each suspect.
