UniPort Student Sentenced to Death for Murder of Girlfriend

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student of the same institution.

Okoligwe, now 26, was found guilty of killing Justina in October 2023 at his residence. Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu ruled that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Justina’s death was the direct result of Okoligwe’s actions.

He was arrested in 2023 after neighbours raised an alarm when he attempted to dispose of her body. Police officers from the Ozuoba Division forced their way into his room after a neighbour reported a persistent foul odour. Inside, they discovered a Ghana-must-go bag containing Justina’s dismembered remains.

The murder trial began in May 2024, two months after the Rivers State Government assumed responsibility for the case. It had initially been filed before a Magistrate Court before Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri Onugbum transferred it to the Department of Public Prosecution in November 2023 for further action.

During a police interview in 2023, Okoligwe denied killing Justina, claiming he had been ill when she visited and said he found her unresponsive after waking up. He alleged he left for his brother’s house to seek treatment and returned three days later to dispose of her body. He also denied removing any organs.

Prosecuting counsel Obediah Charles Mbaba described the verdict as justice delivered, noting that Justina, an only daughter, was killed under circumstances suggesting a ritual motive. He expressed hope that the ruling would deter young people from seeking wealth through unlawful means.

Justina’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, welcomed the judgment, describing it as thorough and reassuring for the family. He said the decision provided relief and validated their pursuit of justice for his sister.

The defence lawyer declined to comment after the ruling.