A retired High Court judge in Delta State, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, has been found dead in her Asaba residence, prompting a full-scale police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama, the late judge was discovered in her sitting room at No. 8 Tom Halen Street, behind IBTC Bank, with her hands and legs bound and her mouth gagged with a wrapper.

Her brother, Emeka Okogwu, found the body during a visit early Saturday morning and immediately reported the incident to the police at about 8:00 a.m. Patrol teams were subsequently deployed to the scene.

The police arrested the on-duty security guard, Lucky Matthew, for questioning, while another guard, identified as Godwin Vanen, was reported missing and is currently being tracked by investigators.

Justice Okogwu’s body was evacuated and deposited at Maduemeie Hospital Mortuary in Asaba. The motive for the killing and the identities of the perpetrators have not yet been established.

The Delta State Police Command said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Asaba, for discreet investigation. Officers are also gathering forensic evidence from the residence to aid the probe.

Residents of the area expressed shock over the gruesome murder, describing the deceased judge as a quiet, respected figure within the community.

Security experts have called for heightened vigilance and improved monitoring of security personnel in residential neighbourhoods in the wake of the incident.

The police assured the public of their commitment to apprehending the killers and strengthening security measures across Asaba.