BREAKING: UNIPORT Student Damian Okoligwe Sentenced to Death for Killing Girlfriend

• A Rivers State High Court has sentenced 400-level UNIPORT student, Damian Okoligwe, to death after finding him guilty of killing his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, in 2023.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced a 400-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.

Okoligwe, a Petrochemical Engineering undergraduate, was found guilty of killing Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student, on October 20, 2023, at his apartment in the Mgbuoba area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

According to findings presented in court, the crime was committed in circumstances the prosecution described as deliberate and premeditated. Okoligwe was later arrested while attempting to dispose of the victim’s body.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing all required elements of the offence.

The judge described Okoligwe’s conduct as “intentional, calculated, and coordinated,” noting that the evidence presented showed no contradictions.

She subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging.

Speaking after the judgment, the lead prosecutor, Charles Mbaba, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, describing it as justice for the late Otuene and a strong message to young people who believe in harmful shortcuts.

“Justice has been done and is seen to be done in respect of Justina Otuene,” Mbaba said. “We hope this will serve as a deterrent to youths who think quick and dangerous shortcuts are the way to succeed.”

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The victim’s elder brother, Osatawaji Otuene, welcomed the judgment, saying it brought relief to the family.

“It was a very detailed and well-delivered judgment,” he said. “At least it is clear that my sister did not die in vain.”

The defence counsel declined to comment.

The case, which drew public outrage in 2023, has now reached its legal conclusion with the court’s ruling.