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Summary
Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, a retired Delta State High Court judge, was found murdered in her Asaba home with her hands and legs tied. The discovery has led to a police investigation, with a missing security guard identified as the prime suspect.
A retired judge of the Delta State High Court, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, was found murdered in her Asaba home, leading to a major police investigation into the killing. The incident occurred on November 23, 2025, at her home located at Tom Halen Street, behind IBTC Bank in Delta.
According to security sources, the judge was found in her sitting room with her hands and legs bound and her mouth gagged with a wrapper. The attackers were said to have ransacked the house before killing her.
Her brother, Emeka Okogwu, found the body on the early morning of November 24, 2025, and immediately alerted the police around 8:00 a.m. Patrol teams were deployed to the scene, and the on-duty security guard, Lucky Matthew, was arrested for questioning. Another guard, identified as Godwin Vanem, was reported missing and is currently being pursued by police.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed the killing in a statement released by its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe. He said preliminary findings suggest that the missing guard, Godwin, is the principal suspect, having reportedly fled after the murder.
Justice Okogwu’s remains have been deposited at Maduemeie Hospital Mortuary, Asaba. The case has also been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, with officers gathering forensic evidence from the residence.
The police assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend all those involved and to reinforce security across Asaba.
In very recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a rise in insecurity targeting women. There have been suspicious deaths of female local government chairpersons, with little or no investigation. Kidnappings of young women across communities are also increasing, when bandits strike, the majority of those kidnapped are women and girls, leaving families and entire communities in fear.
There are also growing concerns over the rise in documented femicide cases. As of September 2025, over 140 gender-related killings of women and girls have been recorded in Nigeria, reflecting a disturbing pattern that demands urgent national attention.
