UNIPORT student sentenced to death by hanging for killing girlfriend

A student of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is to die by hanging for killing girlfriend.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt convicted the 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student, Damian Okoligwe, on Friday.

The judgment by Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu brings to a close a case that gripped the UNIPORT community since 2023.

Okoligwe had murdered the Biochemistry student, on October 20, 2023, at his apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

He dismembered her body and attempted to dispose off the remains in a wheelbarrow before his arrest before he was arrested by neighbours.

In her ruling, Justice Nsirim-Nwosu said the prosecution proved all elements of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.

She described Okoligwe’s actions as “intentional, composed, calculated, coordinated, and evil,” adding that the evidence presented had no contradictions.

The court subsequently ordered that Okoligwe “be hanged until death,” sealing the conviction and delivering justice for the family of the late Otuene. The ruling drew mixed reactions outside the courtroom.

Justice Nwosu held that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and established that Okoligwe committed the crime. The court further ruled that Justina’s death resulted directly from his actions.

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.