Court sentences UNIPORT student to death for murder of girlfriend

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

Okoligwe, a Petrochemical Engineering student, k!lled Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student, on October 20, 2023, at his apartment in Mgbupba, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

He dismembered her body and attempted to dispose of the remains with a wheelbarrow before being arrested.

Delivering judgment on Friday, November 28, 2025, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu ruled that the prosecution had proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, describing Okoligwe’s actions as intentional, calculated, coordinated, and evil. 

The court ordered that he be “hanged on the neck until confirmed dead.”

Outside the courtroom, prosecuting lawyer Charles Mbaba welcomed the verdict, saying it would console the victim’s family and deter young people from resorting to harmful shortcuts in life.

Osatawaji, the late Justina Otuene’s brother, also expressed satisfaction, noting that the judgment provided relief and a sense of justice for their family. 

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