After a two-year legal battle, a court has finally ruled in the prominent case of University of Port Harcourt student Justina Otuene.
Damian Chinaemerem Okoligwe, a 400-level student, received a conviction. He was sentenced for killing his former girlfriend, Justina, in 2023.
The Tragic Loss of Justina
Justina, a 20-year-old Biochemistry student, vanished in October 2023. She had visited Damian’s apartment in Ozuoba. Police found her dismembered body. Damian was subsequently arrested. This case sparked national outcry and demands for justice.
A long legal process followed. It included many hearings and witness accounts. The court reached its final decision today. Damian Okoligwe received the maximum legal sentence.
Okoligwe Sentenced to Hanging
The presiding judge ordered Okoligwe to be hanged until death.
This judgment signifies the culmination of a two-year pursuit of justice for Justina and her family.
Lead prosecutor Charles Mbaba welcomed the court’s decision. He stated it offered a sense of closure for Justina’s family. He added a stern warning for young people. Taking quick, harmful routes to success often has dire consequences.
Mbaba remarked, “Justice for Justina Otuene is now evident.” Justina, her parents’ only daughter, was brutally murdered. Ritual intentions seemed apparent. “Today, the court found him guilty of her murder. We hope Justina’s soul can rest peacefully.” He further noted, “This judgment serves as a deterrent to youths seeking quick wealth.”
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