₦airaland Forum

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt, Damian Okoligwe, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same institution.

Okoligwe, now 26, was found guilty of killing Justina in October 2023 at his residence.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu held that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and established that Okoligwe committed the crime. The court further ruled that Justina’s death resulted directly from his actions.

Okoligwe was arrested in 2023 after neighbours raised the alarm over his attempt to dispose of Justina’s body, which he allegedly killed for money ritual purposes. A neighbour had earlier reported a foul odour emanating from his room to the Ozuoba Police Division. Responding officers forced the door open and discovered a Ghana-must-go bag containing Justina Otuene’s dismembered body.

The murder trial commenced in May 2024, two months after the Rivers State Government took over the case. It had initially been before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, but in November 2023, Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri Onugbum ordered that the case file be transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, for legal advice.

During an interview with journalists in 2023 at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Okoligwe denied the allegations. He claimed he had been ill when Justina visited and said he found her lifeless when he woke up. Okoligwe further alleged that he went to his brother’s house for treatment and returned three days later to dispose of her body. He also denied removing any organs, insisting her remains were intact.

Speaking after the judgment, prosecuting counsel Obediah Charles Mbaba praised the court for ensuring justice, saying, “Justice has not only been done, but seen and felt to be done, in respect to the gruesome murder of Justina Otuene.

“Justina was the only daughter of her parents, but was gruesomely murdered by Damian Okoligwe in circumstances suggestive of ritual intention. Today the court has pronounced him guilty of the murder of Justina Otuene.

“We only hope and believe that with this judgement, the souls of Justina can now have a peaceful repose.”

He added, “I also believe that this judgement will serve as a deterrent to youths who believe that short cut in life is the only means to get rich as quickly as possible.

“This judgement will be a pointer and a lesson to the youths to work hard and abide by the laws of the land.”

Osat-Awaji Otuene, elder brother of the late Justina, said the judgment was well-deserved and brings some comfort to the family.

“I feel good, I feel calm about the whole situation. It was a very detailed judgement, very well structured. I really want to commend the judge, Justice Nsirim.

“Everything was well coordinated in court today. So, I’m really glad that we had the correct and the right judgement for the case.”

He added, “It’s a relief, and it’s certain that my sister didn’t just die for nothing. So, the judgement has been given and the judgement was deserved. Of course it is a relief to the family.”

Meanwhile, the defence lawyer declined to comment.

Awoleesu:
Ah! It's like the reporter has joined in the 'madness' too!

"Primary School girls of Ebonyi State University Staff Secondary School... "

Which is which?

benstuber:
OGs in the house what's your honest opinion and review on the 2008 Toyota Avalon (Direct Belgium)

Storyofmylife:
I live in Abuja and my salary is just #200,000 and I can't even cope with it. Like as a bachelor, I think am overspending for feeding because I eat outside every time. This question is mostly for bachelor's, please how much do you spend in a day for feeding? Is your average feeding expenditures 2k, 3k or any amount. Just say It.

N:B Am a bachelor and not married yet because I don't have money for marriage and my salary is barely enough for my feeding, transport and house rent.

AnambraPeople:
https://anambrapeople.com.ng/2025/09/17/vegas-astoria-hotel-suites-set-to-redefine-hospitality-in-onitsha-anambra-state/

Sponsored Post

Tragedy struck over the weekend as a 22-year-old lady, Miss Odama Mary Agado, reportedly took her own life after discovering her boyfriend with another woman in Enugu, the Enugu State capital.

Mary, who hailed from Woleche-Ipuole in Yahe Ward, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, was said to have ingested a poisonous substance suspected to be sniper after the heartbreaking incident.

Sources said the deceased, a hairstylist based in Enugu, had been doing well in her business and had recently bought a car and rented an apartment for her boyfriend.

According to a family source identified as Daniel, the young woman became distraught after visiting her boyfriend last Friday only to find him with another lady in the apartment she had rented for him.

“She became very angry and left for her own apartment. There, she called her mother and told her what happened. She also said her mother should take whatever happened in good faith, that she wouldn’t live again,” Daniel said.

He added that the girl’s mother, who reportedly had no airtime to call her back, did not raise an alarm or alert neighbours until she later received a call that her daughter had drunk sniper and was rushed to the hospital.

Efforts by doctors to save her life reportedly failed, and she was confirmed dead later that evening. Her body was taken to her village in Yala, where she was buried on Saturday.

“Immediately the body arrived, we dug a grave and buried her because she was too young to be kept for a customary burial ceremony,” Daniel said.

The family did not report the matter to the police, insisting that she took her own life.

“We are at a loss as to why she should take such action over a boyfriend. Some people say she was spiritually manipulated, but whatever it was, no blame game will bring her back,” Daniel added.

YinkaOlusesi16:
We will not die before our time in Jesus mighty name Amen 🙏 Rip to the dead😭

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed the death of two corps members in a motor accident.

The Victims identified as Giveth Nzubechukwu Okwuowulu and Ada, both from Anambra, lost their lives when the vehicle they were travelling veered off a bridge and plunged into a river.

The Accident happened at the boundary between Ugbawka and Nara in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, while on their way to Calabar from Onitsha for their primary assignment.

The Coordinator of NYSC in Cross River State, Andrew Zemoh, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, June 8, 2023, clarified that only two members of the corps died in the crash, contrary to reports making the round on social media.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, Zemoh said the parents and other officials have since evacuated the bodies and deposited in a mortuary.

Giveth Okwuowulu, 25, will be laid to rest on June 14, 2023, in her hometown, Otolo Nnewi, in Nnewi Local Government Area.

TemplarLandry:
Coming straight from the coven for bad news-NyjaCover.

A 30-Year-Old Photographer, Usman Sani Goga, has committed suicide in Akula Quarters, Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, CSC Adamu Shehu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, June 8, 2023, said the deceased hanged himself in his room on Wednesday.

CSC Shehu said his body was discovered by his wife upon returning from visitation.

“According to her, her husband dropped her at a relative's house that fateful day around 1400hrs with a promise to pick her up later in the evening. She said around 1700hrs she called his phone severally without response which made her take a commercial vehicle back home and on reaching there she realized that she was without keys and decided to call his phone again, yet there was no response,” the statement read.

"She requested the assistance of the motorcyclist to jump over the wall and unlock the main entrance from inside. Upon opening the door she saw her husband's motorcycle parked which is very unusual

"She hurried inside where she saw his body hanging from a ceiling fan hook in their bedroom. She fainted at the horrific sight and it was the motorcyclist who shouted for help and neighbors rushed to the scene. The body was then untied, brought down and rushed to the hospital where he was certified dead on arrival by a medical practitioner.

"Investigation into the incident revealed that a bedside drawer was used on top a 6' by 6' sized bed in order to reach to the ceiling where the hook is fixed, and rope was tied to it, the bedside drawer was then pushed off possibly with legs in order to dislodged or rather suspend the body from the hook.

“At the time of writing this report, details of his action were sketchy but close associates disclosed that the deceased has an inherent mental disorder that turns up occasionally. He was married to his wife about 4 months ago and was living happily with his wife. Further Investigation is ongoing. The deceased was buried according to Islamic rites.”

Ahmed0336:
Chai!!!!!

My God console her family and grant her soul eternal rest.

A middle-aged woman has died in a flood incident following downpour in Oko, Orumba North Local government Area of Anambra State.

Mrs. Onyinye Okafor, a mother of five, was said to have gone to transact business in a bank within the area and was on her way home when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitness, the deceased, from Etti in Nanka community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the State was swept away by the deluge after she jumped out of a tricycle she boarded in attempt to save her life.

The witness, who preferred anonymity, said: “It was about 11:49pm on Tuesday after the woman came out from the bank where she went to perform some transactions.

“Due to the heavy rain, she packed her motorcycle within the area and boarded a tricycle to the bank after which she boarded another tricycle to go pick her bike.

“While on the tricycle, the rider lost control due to the heavy flood but was battling with the steering and trying to return to his lane.

“Suddenly, the woman jumped out of the tricycle in the midst of the flood in attempt to save herself. But immediately she jumped down, she mis-stepped and fell into a drainage channel and was washed away by the flood.”

The witness however regretted that efforts to rescue her by the tricyclist with some of her co-passengers proved abortive as the ravaging flood eventually swept her off their hands.

“Many of those who attempted to rescue her also sustained varied degrees of injuries due to the impact of the flood,” the witness sobbed.

The Nation gathered that the deceased body was later recovered under a culvert of drainage channel located exactly at the gate of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, after hours of intensive search.

She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu said the body had been recovered, while investigations into the incident has commenced.

“The body has been recovered and the CP has directed investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death. Meanwhile, the identity of the corpse is yet to be identified,” he said.