A teenage boy identified as Arthur Angel Jr. has been taken into custody by the Edo State Police Command for reportedly killing his 70-year-old father, Arthur Judah Angel, over money in Ugboha, in the state’s Esan South East Local Government Area.
On Sunday, July 14, 2024, Arthur Judah Angel, a human rights campaigner and opponent of the death sentence, was killed and interred in a small grave near his home.
Punch claims that Angel, who was given a death sentence in 1986 for a crime he claimed he did not commit, advocated for the use of the death penalty in the nation through his nonprofit, Life Wire International.
He visited more than 15 nations to use his artwork and sketches as a platform to oppose the death sentence.
Before hitting his father with a sledgehammer, the deceased’s son had threatened to kill him, according to a preliminary inquiry, according to Command Spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor, who verified the occurrence in a statement on Wednesday, July 17.
“On July 15, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer overseeing the Ugboha division in Edo State received a report alleging that a 17-year-old named Arthur Angel Jr. had discovered a shallow grave in the backyard of the residence where he shared a home with the deceased.”
“After the body was exhumed, it was found to be the 70-year-old Arthur Angel’s lifeless body. Upon closer inspection, they noticed a sharp injury on the back of the deceased’s head, and the body was taken to the mortuary at Uromi Hospital.”
“Arthur Angel Jr. had often threatened to kill his father because his father was anticipating some money from Amnesty International, according to the DPO, according to a preliminary inquiry.
The suspect struck the deceased behind the head with a sledgehammer while he was sleeping because he felt that the deceased had received the money.
The DPO immediately rallied his troops, and they headed to the spot. They observed a shallow grave and decided to remove the remains.
The suspect has been effectively moved from Ugboha to the Edo State Criminal Inquiry Department’s homicide department for additional inquiry, according to the PPRO.
Michael Ihaza, Angel’s cousin, informed the magazine on Tuesday that his uncle had been assassinated.
I don’t know if he had a falling out with anyone. Ihaza remarked, “I don’t know if that brought issues between him and anyone, but he won several cases over family land.”
“He never informed me of any threat to his life. I don’t believe his 15-year-old son had anything to do with his father’s death, but he has been detained for interrogation after reporting the crime to the Ugboha police.
The day he was kicked out, his son was taken into custody. There is a story circulating in the community and among the police that the youngster is also a suspect.
Throughout his life, my late uncle battled for humankind. He was a gentleman and worked for jail reform. He never mentioned having an issue with anyone to me.
We don’t want to reveal anything that might compromise the police investigation because they have stated they are looking into the problem. “Hopefully, the offender will be found and held accountable,” he continued.
