A Rivers State High Court holden in Port Harcourt has convicted a 400-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Damian Okoligwe, of the murder of his lover, Justina Otuene.
The court sentenced Okoligwe to death by hanging for the killing and dismembering of his girlfriend, Justina.
Okoligwe, who was studying Petrochemical Engineering at UNIPORT, had murdered his girlfriend, a 300-level student of the Biochemistry Department of the same university, on 20th October 2023.
The sentence was carried out for the crime he committed at his apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
Okoligwe had dismembered her body and dumped the remains inside a wheelbarrow, ready to dispose of them, before he was arrested.
In his judgment on Friday, the trial judge, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu, held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the three ingredients of a case of murder against Okoligwe.
Nsirim-Nwosu described Okoligwe’s actions as intentional, composed, calculated, coordinated, and evil, insisting that there was no contradiction in the evidence, hence proof that Okoligwe truly committed the crime.
The judge directed that Okoligwe should be hanged until confirmed dead.
Speaking outside the courtroom, the prosecution counsel, Charles Mbaba, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, adding that it would allow the soul of Justina to rest in peace.
He said the judgment would also serve as a deterrent to young people who think taking shortcuts is a possible way to survive.
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