Residents of Tom Halen Street in Asaba woke up to a shocking tragedy after a retired High Court judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, was found dead inside her home. The incident has left the community in fear and confusion.
According to the source, Justice Okogwu lived at No. 8 Tom Halen Street, behind IBTC Bank, where she spent her quiet retirement. But on Saturday morning, her brother, Emeka Okogwu, visited her around 8:00 a.m. and found her unresponsive. Realising something was terribly wrong, he immediately reported the case to the police.
When officers arrived, they discovered a disturbing scene. Justice Okogwu was found in her sitting room with her hands and legs tied, and her mouth covered with a wrapper. This showed she had been forcefully restrained before her death.
Police quickly began searching for answers. One of the security guards on duty, Lucky Matthew, was arrested for questioning. But the second guard, Godwin Vanen, was nowhere to be found and is currently missing. Investigators believe finding him may help uncover what happened.
Her body was taken to Maduemeie Hospital Mortuary as detectives continued their work. The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a deeper investigation. Police are collecting evidence from the house and speaking with neighbours to understand the events that led to her death.
People in the community are deeply saddened. They describe Justice Okogwu as a calm, respected woman who served Delta State with honour. Many residents say they are still in shock that such a terrible crime could happen in their neighbourhood.
Security experts have also advised the public to be more careful when hiring and monitoring private security guards, saying that this incident shows the rising risks in many urban areas.
The Delta State Police Command has promised to find those responsible. They say they are working hard to bring the killers to justice and to restore safety in Asaba.
As investigations continue, the tragic death of Justice Ifeoma Okogwu remains a painful reminder of the need for stronger security and vigilance in our communities.
