Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the October 2023 murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student.
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt delivered the verdict after the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Okoligwe, 26, was arrested after neighbours reported a foul smell coming from his residence. Police discovered Justina’s dismembered body in a Ghana-must-go bag, allegedly killed for ritual purposes.
The trial began in May 2024 after the Rivers State Government took over the case from a Magistrate Court.
Delivering judgment, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu confirmed that Justina’s death resulted directly from Okoligwe’s actions.
Prosecuting counsel Charles Obediah-Mbaba praised the ruling, calling it justice for the late Justina and a warning to youths seeking shortcuts to wealth.
The victim’s brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, described the sentence as deserved and a relief to the family. Meanwhile, the defence lawyer declined to comment.
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