Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the brutal murder of a retired High Court Judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu. The police have apprehended the prime suspect, a 25-year-old night security guard formerly employed at the judge's residence.
Arrest and Recovery of Critical Evidence
The Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The suspect, identified as Godwin Mngumi, was tracked down and arrested in Anambra State on December 6, 2025, following an intelligence-led operation by detectives from the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
In a significant development, Edafe stated that the mobile phone belonging to the late jurist was recovered from Mngumi at the point of his arrest. Police authorities have described this item as a "critical link" directly connecting the suspect to the crime scene.
Details of the Crime and Confession
The body of Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, an Asaba-born former judicial officer, was discovered in her residence behind The Pointer Newspapers office in Asaba on the night of Sunday, November 30, 2025. Preliminary reports from family sources indicated a violent scene, with the assailants tying her hands and legs before ransacking the house.
Initial suspicion had fallen on the night guard, Mngumi, who was conspicuously absent and could not be located immediately after the incident. SP Bright Edafe revealed that during interrogation, Mngumi confessed to the murder. He allegedly told detectives that he invited two accomplices to the judge's home to carry out the gruesome attack.
Manhunt for Remaining Suspects Continues
According to the police, one of the named accomplices, Nnaji Obalum, has also been taken into custody. However, a concerted manhunt is underway for the third suspect, whose identity has not yet been disclosed to the public.
SP Edafe described the arrests as "significant but not conclusive," emphasizing that finding the third suspect remains a high-priority objective for the force. He condemned the act as a brutal and heartbreaking crime against a respected member of the judiciary and assured the public that investigators are determined to track down all involved parties and unravel every detail of the killing. The police promised to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
