A Rivers State High Court has sentenced UniPort student Damian Okoligwe to death by hanging for the 2023 murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, after finding him guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced 400-level UniPort student Damian Okoligwe to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend, 300-level student Justina Otuene, in 2023. The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that Justina’s death resulted directly from Okoligwe’s actions.
He was arrested after neighbours raised alarm when he attempted to dispose of her dismembered body in a Ghana-must-go bag, although he had earlier denied killing her, claiming he “woke up to see her lifeless.” After the judgment, prosecuting counsel Obediah Charles Mbaba said, “Justice has not only been done, but seen and felt to be done,” describing the case as “circumstances suggestive of ritual intention,” while Justina’s brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, called the verdict “a relief” and said, “It’s certain that my sister didn’t just die for nothing.