Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same university, according to Tribune News on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
The Rivers State High Court delivered the sentence on Friday after reviewing the October 2023 killing at Okoligwe’s residence. Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu ruled that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Okoligwe was directly responsible for Justina’s death.
Investigations revealed that the murder was allegedly linked to money-ritual purposes, with Okoligwe reportedly attempting to dispose of her body. Neighbours alerted authorities to a foul smell emanating from his room, prompting police to discover Justina’s dismembered body in a bag. The trial, which began in May 2024, continued under the Rivers State Government after it assumed control from a magistrate court.
During proceedings, Okoligwe denied the allegations, claiming he discovered Justina dead and only returned later to handle her body, insisting he did not remove any organs. Prosecuting counsel Obediah-Mbaba welcomed the judgment, stating that justice had been served and expressing hope that it would allow Justina’s soul to rest in peace.
Justina’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, expressed relief at the verdict, praising the detailed judgment and affirming that his sister did not die in vain. The case underscores the judiciary’s commitment to holding perpetrators of brutal crimes accountable while serving as a cautionary tale for youths tempted by criminal shortcuts.
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