A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student of the same university.
Okoligwe, 26, was convicted for killing Justina in October 2023 at his residence.
Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu held that the prosecution team, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and established that the deceased’s death was directly linked to the actions of the defendant.
Okoligwe was arrested in 2023 after neighbours alerted authorities over his suspicious attempt to dispose of the victim’s remains.
Officers from the Ozuoba Police Division responded to complaints of a foul odour from his apartment, leading to his arrest and subsequent investigation.
The murder trial began in May 2024 after the Rivers State Government formally took over the case.
It was initially filed before a Magistrate Court, but in November 2023, Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri Onugbum ordered the transfer of the matter to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
During an interview with journalists in 2023 at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters, Okoligwe denied wrongdoing.
He claimed he had been ill when Justina visited and said he discovered she had died in his room.
He further alleged that he travelled to seek medical attention and only attempted to dispose of her body on his return.
He denied tampering with her remains.
Speaking after the verdict, prosecuting counsel Obediah Charles Mbaba praised the judgment, saying:
“Justice has not only been done, but seen and felt to be done, in respect to the gruesome murder of Justina Otuene.
“Justina was the only daughter of her parents, but was gruesomely murdered by Damian Okoligwe in circumstances suggestive of ritual intention. Today the court has pronounced him guilty of the murder of Justina Otuene.
“We only hope and believe that with this judgement, the souls of Justina can now have a peaceful repose.”
He added, “I also believe that this judgement will serve as a deterrent to youths who believe that short cut in life is the only means to get rich as quickly as possible.
“This judgement will be a pointer and a lesson to the youths to work hard and abide by the laws of the land.”
Also reacting, Osat-Awaji Otuene, elder brother of the deceased, described the ruling as a relief for the family.
“I feel good, I feel calm about the whole situation.
It was a very detailed judgement, very well structured. I really want to commend the judge, Justice Nsirim.
“Everything was well coordinated in court today. So, I’m really glad that we had the correct and the right judgement for the case.”
He added, “It’s a relief, and it’s certain that my sister didn’t just die for nothing. So, the judgement has been given and the judgement was deserved. Of course it is a relief to the family.”
The defence counsel declined comments after the judgment.