By: Ojay Matthew
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, 300-level Biochemistry student, Justina Otuene. Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu ruled that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Okoligwe was responsible for Justina’s death.
Okoligwe was arrested in 2023 after neighbours raised alarm when he attempted to dispose of Justina’s body. Police officers from the Ozuoba Division forced open his door after reports of a disturbing odour and discovered her dismembered remains stuffed in a Ghana-must-go bag. The incident prompted the Rivers State Government to take over the case, which had initially been handled by a Magistrate Court before being transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice.
During earlier police interviews, Okoligwe denied murdering Justina, claiming she died while he was ill and that he discovered her lifeless on waking. He told investigators he left for medical treatment and returned three days later to dispose of her body, insisting he did not remove any organs. However, the court rejected his defence and affirmed that the evidence clearly linked him to the killing.
Following the verdict, prosecuting counsel Charles Obediah-Mbaba commended the court for delivering justice in what he described as a “gruesome” case. He emphasised that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to young people seeking quick wealth through unlawful means. The victim’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, welcomed the ruling, describing it as well-deserved and a relief for the family. The defence counsel declined to comment on the judgment.
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