Uniport Student Sentenced to Death for Murdering Girlfriend
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – A Rivers State High Court has sentenced Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level petrochemical engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt, to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.
Justina Otuene, a 300-level biochemistry student at the university, was killed on October 20, 2023, at Okoligwe’s apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. According to the court, Okoligwe strangled Justina and dismembered her body, and was apprehended by neighbours while attempting to dispose of her remains.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu said the prosecution had proven all elements of murder beyond reasonable doubt. The judge described Okoligwe’s actions as “deliberate, coordinated, and wicked,” and consequently handed down the death sentence by hanging.
Reacting to the verdict, Justina’s brother, Osatawaji Otuene, expressed relief and welcomed the court’s judgment.
