A Rivers State High Court has delivered a landmark judgment in a shocking murder case that has gripped the nation. Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.
The Gruesome Crime That Shocked UNIPORT
The tragic incident occurred on October 20, 2023, at Okoligwe's apartment in Mgbuogba area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. The victim, Justina Otuene, was a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same university, making the case particularly disturbing within the academic community.
The discovery was made when estate security personnel found the young woman's body in Okoligwe's apartment on NTA Road in Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt. Police were immediately alerted after Okoligwe was seen attempting to move the remains in a wheelbarrow, leading to his prompt arrest.
Investigators made horrifying discoveries at the crime scene. The victim's body was found wrapped in blood-stained sacks on a wheelbarrow, with visible blood stains on the floor. Even more disturbing was the revelation that several body parts were missing, raising suspicions that the dismemberment might have been ritualistic in nature.
Court Proceedings and Final Judgment
After two years of legal proceedings, Justice Chinwe Nsirum-Nwosu of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt delivered the verdict on November 28, 2025. The judge found Okoligwe guilty of murder, stating that the prosecution had successfully proved all three essential ingredients of the charge against him.
In her ruling, Justice Nsirum-Nwosu described Okoligwe's actions as "intentional, composed, calculated, and evil", emphasizing that there were no contradictions in the evidence presented against the convicted student. The court determined that the prosecution had established a watertight case, leaving no room for reasonable doubt.
During the investigation, Okoligwe had admitted that Tiffany was his girlfriend and that her body was discovered in his apartment. However, he denied responsibility for her death, claiming he had found her lifeless and failed to report the incident due to illness. His claim that he remained in the apartment despite the decomposition and odor further damaged his credibility.
Reactions to the Verdict
The prosecution team, led by Charles Mbaba, expressed satisfaction with the judgment outside the courtroom. Mbaba stated that the verdict would bring closure to Otuene's family and serve as a strong deterrent to others who might contemplate similar crimes.
On the victim's side, Osatawaji Otuene, the brother of the deceased, welcomed the court's decision, saying it brought much-needed relief to the grieving family. Meanwhile, Okoligwe's legal counsel declined to comment on the judgment when approached by reporters.
The University of Port Harcourt administration had previously taken a strong stance on the matter. The Vice-Chancellor had emphasized that "justice must be done for this matter because no student here has the right to kill or assault anyone", noting that the punishment for physical violence at the institution is outright expulsion.
Following the arrest, the Rivers State Police had transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigations Department for thorough investigation. The victim's remains were deposited in a mortuary for autopsy, which contributed to the evidence used in court.
The case gained significant public attention when videos circulated on social media showing the suspect in handcuffs being led by police officers to his apartment during the investigation phase. The gruesome nature of the crime and the involvement of university students made it a topic of national discussion about campus safety and relationship violence.
