Student sentenced to death by hanging over murder of his Girlfriend
Student sentenced to death by hanging over murder of his Girlfriend
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced Damian Okoligwe, a 26-year-old 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same university.
Okoligwe 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, had “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 open the door and discovered a Ghana-must-go bag containing Justina Otuene’s dismembered body.
The trial commenced in May 2024, two months after the Rivers State Government assumed control of the case. Initially, it was 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 at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters in 2023, Okoligwe denied the allegations, claiming he had been ill when Justina visited and that he found her lifeless when he woke up.
He alleged that he went to his brother’s house for treatment and returned three days later to dispose of her body, denying the removal of any organs and insisting her remains were intact.
Speaking after the judgment, prosecuting counsel Charles Obediah-Mbaba praised the court, 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 brought 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.”
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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
The Imam of Nghar village, Abubakar Abdullahi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who famously sheltered 262 Christians during communal violence, has passed away.
The Imam’s Son Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the development to Daily Trust on Friday, saying that the cleric died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
The Son said, his father “died ten days after he was admitted” in the hospital.
“He was initially diagnosed with a heart problem. He’d go for check-ups and return. His health hadn’t been stable since the heart disease diagnosis.”
Imam Abubakar died at the age of 90. He is survived by 19 children – 12 sons and seven daughters.
Tecall that in June 2018, during violent, faith-based communal clashes that affected 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, Imam Abubakar sheltered 262 Christians in his mosque and residence until the violence subsided, saving them from certain death.
His courage earned him widespread recognition, including the International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States Department of State in 2019.
The late cleric will be laid to rest on Friday (today) in Nghar village after the Juma’at prayers.
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