Police arrest 1, hunt key suspect in murder of Delta retired judge

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested one suspect, identified as Lucky Matthew, in connection with the alleged killing of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwo in the state.

The command also said it has launched a manhunt for the principal suspect, identified as Godwin Vanem, who reportedly fled the house after the incident.

The retired judge was found dead in her home behind The Pointer Newspapers in Asaba, with her hands and mouth tied. The entire house was said to have been ransacked by her assailants.

The night security guard assigned to her residence was also said to have disappeared shortly after the incident, raising suspicions of internal collaboration.

The deceased’s younger brother, Ogbueshi Godfrey Okogwu, who reported the incident to the police, said only God knows what transpired. He said his elder sister was murdered in her house and that the killing may have occurred during the night.

The Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, in a statement, said the incident was reported on 24 November 2025 by the deceased’s brother, who visited her residence and found her lifeless body in the sitting room with her hands, legs, and mouth tied.

He said the corpse has been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

Edafe confirmed that one suspect, Lucky Matthew, has been arrested, while the principal suspect, Godwin Vanem, remains at large.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the said Vanem is suspected of having committed the dastardly act and fled the apartment. The Command has launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect,” he stated.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (Homicide Section) for discreet investigation.

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