A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port-Harcourt on Friday sentenced a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe, to death for the murder of his girlfriend, 300-level Biochemistry student Justina Otuene.
Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu, who delivered the judgement, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Okoligwe intentionally caused the death of the 20-year-old, who was the only daughter of her parents.
Okoligwe, now 26, killed Justina in October 2023 at his residence. Her dismembered body was later discovered stuffed in a ‘Ghana-must-go’ bag after neighbours alerted the police to a foul smell coming from his apartment.
The discovery led to his arrest and eventual arraignment.
The murder trial, which began in May 2024 after the Rivers State Government took over the case, followed months of legal processes.
The matter had initially been before a Magistrate Court, but in November 2023 Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri Onugbum ordered that the file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecutions for further action.
Although the details of the judgement were still being awaited for, prosecuting counsel, Mr Charles Obediah-Mbaba has applauded the court’s decision.
Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Obediah-Mbaba said, “Justice has not only been done but has been seen and felt to be done in respect of the gruesome murder of Justina Otuene.”
He added, “We hope that with this judgement, her soul can now rest, and that it serves as a deterrent to youths who believe shortcuts are the path to wealth.”
Describing Justina’s killing as “gruesome” and “suggestive of ritual intentions,” he praised the court for bringing closure to the case.
Osat-Awaji Otuene, elder brother of the deceased, said the family feels a measure of comfort knowing that justice has been served.
Okoligwe’s sentencing adds to a growing list of high-profile murder convictions in the state, including recent cases involving a student, a self-styled pastor, and a Chinese national, all condemned to death for killing their partners in separate incidents.
The court’s decision marks the end of a case that drew widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of rising cases of intimate-partner violence in Nigeria.
Leave a Reply