A 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe has been sentenced to death by hanging.
NewsBits reports that the sentence was handed down to him after he was convicted by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene. Until her unfortunate demise, Justina, the only daughter of her parents, was a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same institution.
Okoligwe, now 26, was found guilty of killing Justina in October 2023 at his residence. The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu.
He held that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and established that Okoligwe committed the crime. The court further ruled that Justina’s death resulted directly from the accused person’s actions.
It could be recalled that Okoligwe was arrested in 2023 after neighbours raised the alarm over his attempt to dispose of Justina’s body, which he allegedly killed for money ritual purposes.
A neighbour had earlier reported a foul odour emanating from his room to the Ozuoba Police Division. Responding officers forced the door open and discovered a Ghana-must-go bag containing Justina Otuene’s dismembered body.
The murder trial commenced in May 2024, two months after the Rivers State Government took over the case. It had initially been before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, but in November 2023, Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri Onugbum ordered that the case file be transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, for legal advice.
Speaking after the judgment, prosecuting counsel Obediah Charles Mbaba praised the court for ensuring justice, saying, “Justice has not only been done, but seen and felt to be done, in respect to the gruesome murder of Justina Otuene.
“Justina was the only daughter of her parents, but was gruesomely murdered by Damian Okoligwe in circumstances suggestive of ritual intention. Today the court has pronounced him guilty of the murder of Justina Otuene.
“We only hope and believe that with this judgement, the souls of Justina can now have a peaceful repose.
“I also believe that this judgment will serve as a deterrent to youths who believe that shortcuts in life are the only means to get rich as quickly as possible.
“This judgment will be a pointer and a lesson to the youths to work hard and abide by the laws of the land.”
Osat-Awaji Otuene, elder brother of the late Justina said the judgment was well-deserved and brings some comfort to the family. The defence lawyer declined to talk to journalists.
