A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT student Damian Okoligwe to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.
26 year old Okoligwe, was a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student, while Otuene was a 300-level Biochemistry student at the University of Port Harcourt.
Neighbours first raised alarm in 2023 after perceiving a strong odour from his room. Police forced the door open and reportedly discovered Justina’s dismembered body inside a Ghana-must-go bag.
During a police interview, Okoligwe denied murdering her. He also denied removing any organs.
He said he had been ill when she visited, claimed he woke up to find her dead, and admitted only attempting to dispose of her remains.
The matter had initially started at a Magistrate Court before being transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution in late 2023.
The formal murder trial began in May 2024 after the Rivers State Government took over the case.
Delivering judgement, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and established that Justina’s death directly resulted from Okoligwe’s actions.
Prosecuting counsel, Obediah Charles Mbaba, welcomed the verdict, saying, “Justice has not only been done, but seen and felt to be done, in respect to the gruesome murder of Justina Otuene.”
He added that the judgement should serve as a warning to youths pursuing quick wealth.
The defence lawyer declined to comment when approached after Friday’s proceedings.
Justina’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, expressed relief. “I feel good, I feel calm… It was a very detailed judgement. I’m really glad that we had the correct and the right judgement,” he said, adding that the ruling shows his sister “didn’t just die for nothing.”
