A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.
Justina was a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same university.
The court found that Okoligwe killed her in October 2023 at his residence.
Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu delivered the judgment on Friday.
The judge ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court also held that Justina’s death resulted directly from Okoligwe’s actions.
Prosecution was led by state counsel Charles Obediah-Mbaba.
Okoligwe was arrested in 2023 after neighbours raised alarm over his attempt to dispose of Justina’s body.
Residents reported a strange odour and suspicious movements around his room.
Police officers from Ozuoba Division forced the door open.
They found a Ghana-must-go bag that contained Justina’s dismembered body.
Investigators alleged that Okoligwe killed her for ritual purposes.
The Rivers State Government took over the case in early 2024.
The trial began in May 2024 and continued for months.
The court reviewed witness statements, police evidence and autopsy reports before reaching its decision.
During an interview at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters in 2023, Okoligwe denied killing her.
He claimed he had been ill when Justina visited.
He said he woke up and found her lifeless.
He also told reporters that he left his house to seek treatment from his brother.
He admitted returning three days later and attempting to dispose of her body.
He insisted she was never dismembered and accused investigators of misrepresenting facts.
The court rejected his account.
Speaking after the ruling, prosecuting counsel Obediah Charles Mbaba praised the judgment.
He said justice had been achieved for Justina and her family.
He described her death as gruesome and senseless.
He expressed hope that the verdict would deter young people from ritual-related crimes.
He warned that the search for shortcuts to wealth often leads to tragedy and imprisonment.
Justina’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, welcomed the judgment.
He said the decision brought some comfort to the family.
He praised Justice Nsirim for delivering what he called a detailed and well-structured ruling.
He said the family felt relieved, knowing that their daughter did not die without justice.
He added that the verdict closed a painful chapter in their lives and offered a measure of peace.
The case has drawn public attention across Rivers State and the university community.
Many students expressed shock and sadness over the details revealed in court.
The judgment ends a tragic story that began with suspicion and ended with a rare death sentence for a university student.