UNIPORT Final-Year Student Sentenced to Death for Killing Girlfriend in Rivers

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 after finding him guilty of killing his girlfriend, 20-year-old Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student.

Delivering the judgement on Friday, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and established that the 26-year-old intentionally caused the death of the young woman, who was her parents’ only daughter.

The incident occurred in October 2023 at Okoligwe’s residence, sparking a police investigation that led to his arrest and subsequent arraignment. The case initially started at a Magistrate Court before it was forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecutions in November 2023 for full trial. The Rivers State Government later took over the matter, and the trial began in May 2024.

Speaking after the judgment, prosecuting counsel Charles Obediah-Mbaba praised the court’s decision, saying it reflected the gravity of the offence.

“Justice has not only been done but has been seen to be done in respect of the murder of Justina Otuene,” he said. He added that the judgment should serve as a strong warning to young people engaging in harmful behaviours.

Justina’s elder brother, Osat-Awaji Otuene, said the family felt a sense of relief knowing that the court delivered justice in the case.