The death sentence handed down to Damian Okoligwe, the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) student who brutally murdered and dismembered his girlfriend, is more than the conclusion of a horrifying criminal case — it is a rare but powerful reminder that, despite public doubts, justice in Nigeria has not died.
In an era where many Nigerians have grown weary of a system often criticised for delays, compromises, and unresolved cases, Friday’s judgement in Port Harcourt stands out as a clear affirmation that accountability is still possible, even in the most gruesome circumstances.
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The facts of the case underscore why the ruling resonated so strongly.
On October 20, 2023, Okoligwe strangled his girlfriend, 300-level biochemistry student Justina Nkemenna Otuene, in what prosecutors described as an intentional and cold-blooded assault inside his Mgbuoba apartment.
The depravity did not stop there. After killing her, he went on to dismember her body, pack the remains into a bag, and wheel them out for disposal before neighbours intercepted him and alerted authorities. It was a sequence of actions the trial judge, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu, described as “intentional, composed, calculated, coordinated, and evil.”
That clarity in describing the crime matched the rigour of the verdict.
The prosecution, led by the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, successfully proved all the essential ingredients of murder beyond reasonable doubt: that Justina died; that her death was caused by the defendant’s deliberate actions; and that those actions were taken with full knowledge that death would result.
With no contradictions in the evidence and no plausible defence, the court concluded that the only fitting consequence was the maximum penalty: death by hanging.
While Nigeria continues to debate the morality, effectiveness, and necessity of capital punishment, there was little ambiguity in public reaction to this case.
The crime was so heinous, the conduct so chilling, that the judgement has been widely viewed not as vengeance, but as a necessary assertion of society’s moral and legal boundaries. In the words of the victim’s elder brother, Osatawaji Otuene, the ruling brought a measure of “relief,” confirming that his sister “didn’t die for nothing.”
That sentiment captures the broader takeaway from the case. For a justice system frequently accused of inertia, selective prosecution, and ineffectiveness, this conviction demonstrates that due process can still function, evidence can still prevail, and perpetrators of even the most shocking crimes can still be held fully accountable. It also reflects the importance of community vigilance. In this instance, it was neighbours’ alertness that prevented the disposal of the body and helped secure vital evidence.
The Okoligwe judgement does not erase systemic flaws, nor does it guarantee justice in all cases. But it does serve as a reminder that justice is not entirely elusive.
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When institutions act with integrity, when prosecutions are thorough, and when courts weigh evidence meticulously, justice can — and does — assert itself. In the face of such a brutal crime and the trauma it inflicted on both families and the wider UNIPORT community, the court’s decision restores a measure of public confidence. It reinforces the belief that Nigeria’s justice system, though imperfect, remains capable of drawing a firm line against violence and demonstrating that the lives of victims still matter.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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