The Delta State Police Command has confirmed that the murder of a retired Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, was carried out during a robbery operation aimed at stealing her mobile phones and personal valuables.

The prime suspect, 25-year-old Godwin Mngumi, admitted that he and two accomplices attacked the elderly jurist in her Asaba residence to dispossess her of items including phones, jewellery, a wristwatch, and a power bank. Mngumi confessed in a video shared by the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday.

According to the suspect, he had only recently been employed as a security guard at Justice Okogwu’s home and had worked there for less than two weeks before the crime occurred. He explained that familiarity with the house and the victim made it easier to carry out the attack.

“We did not plan to kill her; we only planned to take her phone,” Mngumi said. “When we got there, we tied her hands and legs. We took her phone, wristwatch, necklace, and power bank.”

He revealed that the retired judge owned two mobile phones, adding that one of his accomplices, 21-year-old Nnaji Obalum, took possession of the larger Samsung phone, while the smaller phone was later sold. Obalum, who was also paraded by the police, confirmed that he was arrested with the Samsung phone and had inserted his SIM card into it.

Both suspects expressed remorse over the killing and appealed for forgiveness, acknowledging the gravity of their actions.

The police disclosed that a third suspect involved in the crime is still at large, with efforts ongoing to track and arrest him. Edafe warned residents to be cautious when employing domestic staff and security personnel, urging thorough background checks to prevent similar incidents.

Justice Okogwu was found dead in her home behind The Pointer Newspapers in Asaba on Sunday, November 23. Investigations revealed that her attackers bound her hands and legs before ransacking the house in what police described as a targeted and violent robbery.

Mngumi was arrested on December 6 by operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department after fleeing Delta State. He was eventually tracked down and apprehended in Anambra State.

The police have assured the public that all those connected to the crime will be brought to justice as investigations continue.