A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same university.
The court, led by Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu, delivered the judgment on Friday, ruling that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt. The 26-year-old Okoligwe was found guilty of killing Justina in October 2023 at his residence.
Gruesome Details of the Crime
Okoligwe was arrested after neighbours raised the alarm about a foul odour coming from his room at the Ozuoba area of Port Harcourt. Police officers reportedly discovered a Ghana-must-go bag containing Justina’s dismembered body. The murder was allegedly committed for money ritual purposes.
The trial, which commenced in May 2024, was initially handled by a Magistrate Court but was later transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further legal action.
During the trial, Okoligwe denied the allegations, claiming that he found Justina lifeless during her visit and that he later went to his brother’s house for treatment. He also denied removing any organs from her body.
Reactions
Prosecuting counsel Charles Obediah-Mbaba praised the court, saying the judgment ensures justice for the late Justina and serves as a warning to youths who seek shortcuts to wealth:
“We only hope and believe that with this judgement, the souls of Justina can now have a peaceful repose… This judgement will be a pointer and a lesson to the youths to work hard and abide by the laws of the land.”
Osat-Awaji Otuene, elder brother of the late Justina, expressed relief over the verdict:
“It’s a relief, and it’s certain that my sister didn’t just die for nothing… The judgement was deserved.”
The defence lawyer declined to comment on the judgment.
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