A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced UNIPORT student, Damian Chinaerem Okoligwe, to death by hanging for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Justina Otuene. The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Sika Aprioku after nearly two years of hearings.
The case dates back to October 2023 when Justina, a 300-level Biochemistry student, was reported missing after visiting Okoligwe at his apartment in Ozuoba, Obio Akpor Local Government Area. She had been to the apartment before, and according to investigators, there was no indication she sensed danger when she accepted the invitation.
Days later, neighbours alerted the police to a strong odour coming from the building. Officers forced their way into the apartment and discovered a black bag containing Justina’s remains. The body was severely mutilated, with several parts missing, raising suspicions of ritual intent. The discovery sparked widespread outrage in Port Harcourt and across social media, with many demanding swift justice.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented police investigators, pathologists, and witnesses whose testimonies established the timeline leading to Justina’s death. The court held that the evidence presented was consistent and credible. Okoligwe failed to provide an explanation that countered the prosecution’s claims.
In delivering judgment, Justice Aprioku ruled that the circumstances of the killing and the weight of the evidence left the court with no alternative under the law. Okoligwe was therefore sentenced to death by hanging.
Also Read: Househelp Kills Employer’s Daughter, Commits Sucide in Rivers
The verdict has drawn reactions from students, advocacy groups, and residents who followed the case from the start. Many say the judgment brings closure, while others believe it highlights ongoing concerns about safety and rising crime involving young people in the state.
