The Rivers State High Court has fixed November 28 for judgment in the case of Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), accused of killing his girlfriend, Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student of the same institution.
The case, which has drawn widespread attention, follows the gruesome discovery of Justina’s decomposing body in Damian’s apartment two years ago. Police reports in October 2023 revealed that operatives from the Ozuoba Division responded to a neighbour’s complaint about a foul odour emanating from Damian’s room. Upon forcing the door open, officers reportedly found a Ghana must-go bag containing Justina’s lifeless body.
The murder trial commenced in May 2024, two months after the Rivers State Government assumed prosecution of the case. At Wednesday’s sitting, trial judge Justice Chinwe Nsirim reserved judgment after listening to the final written addresses from the prosecution counsel, Obediah Charles Mbaba, and the defence counsel, Ibikiri Otorubio.
Justice Nsirim stated that the verdict would be delivered after a careful review of the arguments and evidence presented by both sides.
