UniPort final-year student sentenced to death for killing girlfriend

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced 26-year-old Damian Okoligwe, a final-year Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, 300-level Biochemistry student Justina Otuene.

Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu delivered the judgment on Friday, ruling that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Okoligwe killed Justina in October 2023 at his residence.

Okoligwe was arrested after neighbours alerted police to a foul odour coming from his room. Officers from the Ozuoba Police Division forced the door open and reportedly found Justina’s dismembered body stuffed in a Ghana-must-go bag. He was accused of killing her for ritual purposes.

The murder trial began in May 2024, two months after the Rivers State Government took over the case. It was initially handled by a Magistrate Court until Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri Onugbum transferred the file to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice.

During a 2023 interview at the Rivers State Police Command, Okoligwe denied the allegations. He claimed he had been ill when Justina visited, and woke to find her dead. He told police he sought treatment at his brother’s home and returned days later, intending to dispose of her body. He also denied harvesting her organs.

After Friday’s verdict, prosecuting counsel Obediah-Mbaba welcomed the judgment, describing it as justice “seen and felt to be done.”

“Justina was the only daughter of her parents and was gruesomely murdered in circumstances suggestive of ritual intention,” he said. “We believe this judgment will deter youths who think shortcuts are the way to get rich.”

Justina’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, said the ruling brought relief to the family. “It was a detailed and well-structured judgment. I’m glad we got the correct judgment for the case,” he said.

“It’s a relief to the family, and, certainly, my sister didn’t die for nothing.”

The defence counsel declined to comment.