A retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Makurdi, Benue State, Justice Margaret Igbetar, has allegedly been murdered by unknown assailants.
Her decomposing corpse was found by her son at her residence located at No. 1, Wantor Kwange Street, opposite the School of Medicine, Benue State University (BSU), Gboko Road, Thursday night, August 24, 2023.
According to Nigerian Tribune, a source said that her son had reported the murder case at 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 yesterday, (Thursday),” the source said.
The Divisional Police Officer, E division, SP Daniel Ezeala could not be immediately reached for comments but a competent police source confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it is true. Yesterday, Thursday, August 24, 2023, her lifeless body was discovered in her house but the corpse was not looking too okay; meaning that it (death) couldn’t have happened yesterday (Thursday), maybe it happened the day before yesterday. The son is giving useful information that may lead to the arrest of suspects in connection with the incident,” the police source said.
The police source told the publication that efforts were on to unravel the cause of death and those behind the act.
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, in 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 the International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), Benue state, a life member, the first Chairperson of the FIDA Benue branch, and a National Trustee of the association.