UGBOHA, EDO STATE – Arthur Judah Angel, a prominent advocate against the death penalty and founder of the Life Wire International Foundation, was tragically killed by his son, Arthur Angel Jr., over alleged financial demands. The incident occurred in Ugboha, Esan South East, on Sunday, prompting a swift response from the Edo State Police Command.

According to the spokesperson of the Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, preliminary investigations revealed that Arthur Angel Jr., aged 17, had repeatedly threatened to harm his father, believing he had received money from Amnesty International. In a gruesome act, Arthur Jr. allegedly used a sledgehammer to fatally strike his father on the head while he slept.

“On the 15th of July, 2024, at about 09:00 hours, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugboha division received a complaint about a shallow grave discovered in the backyard where the deceased and his son lived,” Nwabuzor recounted to The PUNCH on Wednesday.

Upon uncovering the shallow grave, police officers identified the body of Arthur Judah Angel, 70, with a visible injury to the back of his head. The body was subsequently transported to Uromi Hospital mortuary for further examination.

“The suspect has been transferred to the homicide section of the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation,” Nwabuzor continued.

Arthur Judah Angel, known for his activism against the death penalty and his international advocacy through art exhibitions, had previously been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in 1986. He used his foundation to champion causes related to human rights and prison reform, garnering recognition both locally and internationally for his efforts.

The tragic incident has left the community in shock, with family members and acquaintances mourning the loss of a man dedicated to humanitarian causes. Investigations into the motive and circumstances surrounding the killing are ongoing as authorities work to bring justice to Arthur Judah Angel’s untimely death.