A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 400-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe, to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.
Okoligwe, a student of Petrochemical Engineering, killed Justina, a 300-level Biochemistry student, on October 20, 2023, at his apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. He later dismembered her body and put the remains in a wheelbarrow before he was caught.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu said the prosecution proved all parts of the murder charge beyond reasonable doubt. The judge said Okoligwe acted in a planned and intentional way and that the evidence clearly showed he committed the crime. The court then ordered that he be hanged until death.
Speaking after the judgment, the prosecutor, Charles Mbaba, welcomed the ruling. He said the judgment would bring some comfort to the family of the late Justina and serve as a warning to young people who believe in quick ways to make money.
He said, “Justice has been done and seen to be done for Justina Otuene. Justina was the only daughter of her parents but was gruesomely murdered by Damian Okoligwe in circumstances that suggested ritual intentions. We hope that with this judgment, her soul can now rest.”
The defence counsel declined comments.
Justina’s elder brother, Osatawaji Otuene, said the family is relieved. He said the judgment showed that his sister did not die in vain and thanked the judge for a thorough ruling.
