UNIPORT Student Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Murder

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced a four-hundred-level student of the University of Port Harcourt to death by hanging for the murdered of his girlfriend. Justice CHINWE NSIRIM-NWOSU held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that DAMIAN OKOLIGWE murdered JUSTINA OTUENE, who was also student of the same university, studying Biochemistry. During the trial, the court heard that DAMIAN OKOLIGWE, who is studying Petrochemical Engineering, committed the crime at his apartment at Mgbuoba community, in Obio-Akpor Local government Area. The prosecution shared vivid details of how OKOLIGWE murdered the female student, dismembered her body, which he packed in a wheelbarrow, before he was caught while trying to dispose the body at a dumpsite. Delivering judgment at the of the trial, Justice CHINWE NSIRIM-NWOSU described the action of OKOLIGWE as intentional, calculated, coordinated and evil. Speaking with newsmen outside the courtroom after the judgment, the prosecution counsel, CHARLES MBABA expressed satisfaction with the judgment, saying it should serve as a deterrent to other young people who are desperate to get rich. On his part, OSATAWAJI OTUENE, who is the brother to late JUSTINA OTUENE, said his family was happy with the justice and commended the court for ensuring that justice is served.