It began with a trap Helen Eseigbe A simple, rural device, belonging to Mr. Victor Eseigbe family, would become the spark that ignited a tragic chain of events, leading to the death of a woman, a
fugitive on the run, and a family’s desperate fight for justice in the face of alleged corruption, abuse of power, and institutional failure.
On March 2, 2025, Victor Eseigbe, a native of Idumegan Igueben in
Igueben Local Government Area, Edo State, got into an altercation with his neighbor, Mr. Lawrence Adianu Ukpebor, over the ownership and placement of the trap.
During the scuffle, Lawrence allegedly struck Victor’s wife, Helen Eseigbe, with his elbow. She collapsed. She never got back up.
By all accounts, the moment was chaotic, raw with grief. But even before the
shock had settled over the Eseigbe family, Lawrence had disappeared—spirited out of the community by one Mr. Godday Oboh, who was seen ferrying him away on a motorcycle.
The community was outraged. The Eseigbe family reported the incident to the Divisional Police Office in Igueben.
Mr. Godday Oboh, the alleged accomplice, was arrested and the matter was transferred to the State CID’s Homicide Department.
But that, according to Victor’s brother, Mr. Isi Eseigbe, was the beginning of a deeper nightmare—one not just of grief, but of betrayal by the justice system itself.
Allegations of Manipulation and Cover-Up
Isi Eseigbe alleges that a magistrate—Florence Aghedo—intervened in the case beyond her official capacity.
She allegedly influenced the Commissioner of Police, and reports claim she entered a judge’s office uninvited during court proceedings, a clear violation of legal protocol.
“The suspect was already before the court,” Isi recounts. “How can a magistrate have that kind of access, and why would she use it to interfere?”
Eventually, Godday Oboh was remanded again, this time at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Sapele Road. But the damage was done.
The community, Family , already grieving Helen’s death, was now battling suspicion that the legal process itself was being undermined.
Then came another twist.
The Fugitive’s Counter-Petition
While still on the run, Mr. Lawrence Adianu Ukpebor filed a petition at the Zone 5 Police Headquarters, claiming he was the victim.
In his account, it was his home that was torched—allegedly by Victor Eseigbe, the same man who had just lost his wife.
“This is a man who had villagers with him mourning his wife all day,” Isi says, frustration in his voice. “It is unthinkable to say he was out setting fires.”
Nevertheless, officers from the Anti-Fraud Unit arrested Victor Eseigbe on April 29, 2025.
The grieving husband—now turned accused—was detained without a concluded investigation.
Isi Eseigbe accuses the unit of acting with bias and ignoring prior directives for an impartial inquiry. “The law is being twisted against us,” he says. “The victim is now the suspect, and the accused is using the system to protect himself.”
A Cry for Justice
The family’s plea is clear: a thorough, transparent investigation, and for justice to be allowed to run its course—without interference, influence, or intimidation.
At the time of reporting, the murder case involving Mr. Godday Oboh is scheduled to appear in court today, April 30, 2025. Meanwhile, Lawrence Adianu Ukpebor remains at large, his counter-petition still under investigation.
Behind the legal chaos, one fact remains unshaken: Helen Eseigbe is dead.
“Someone’s wife is gone.
A family is broken.
The family seeks for truth and justice
And instead of justice, we’re fighting politics and power games,” Isi says, voice heavy.
“We are calling on the Edo State Government, the Nigerian Police Force, and human rights bodies—please do not let this be swept under the carpet.” The community of Idumegan Igueben watches and waits—hoping that in a system riddled with challenges, justice still has a voice.
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