Attah Ede Makurdi
Former President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Makurdi, Benue State, Justice Margaret Igbetar has been assassinated by gunmen.
Her remains were said to have been discovered by her son at her residence located at Wantor Kwange Street, opposite the School of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Gboko Road, on Thursday night.
A source close to the family said that at the time her corpse was found in her residence, the body had started to decompose.
The source further said that as soon as the body of the woman was discovered, the murder was reported to the “E” Division Police station, Makurdi.
“Her corpse seems to be decomposing at the time the body was found, suggesting, she must have been killed before Thursday,” the source added.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Benue state Command, SP Catherine Anene, who said she was on transit back to the state solicited for time to enable her get the details of the incident.
“Let me get to town and understand what happened,” the PPRO said in a text message.
The Divisional Police Officer, (DPO), SP Daniel Ezeala, could not be reached for comments, but a reliable police source confirmed the incident saying, “Yes, it’s true. Yesterday, Thursday, August 24, 2023, her lifeless body was discovered in her house but the corpse was not looking too okay again meaning that it couldn’t have happened yesterday, may be day before yesterday.”
The source confirmed that the police, at “E” division have been informed and from the statement given by the son of the late justice, they will unravel those behind the murder.
Late Mrs Margaret Igbetar was born October 17,1950, in Mbape, Shangev-ya, Tsar-Mbaduku, in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue state.
She was married with seven children; two sons and five daughters.
She started her career as the Assistant Registrar, Grade I at the Area Court, Katsina- Ala, Benue State, 1971, worked at NYSC, Ministry of Justice, Minna, Niger State, 1976, Pupil State Counsel, ministry of Justice, Benue State, 1976-77, and rose to the position of Co-ordinator, Customary Court of Appeal, The Judiciary, Benue State, 1993-95.
She was further appointed Judge, Customary Court of Appeal, a position she held from 1995 to 2003.
Late Justice Igbeta was the founding member of International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), Benue state, a life member, first Chairperson of FIDA Benue branch and a National Trustee of the association.