Court Remands UNIPORT Student In Prison Over Murder Of Girlfriend

Damian Okoligwe, a 400L Petrochemical Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, has been placed under detention in jail due to his girlfriend’s death.

A few weeks ago, Damian was accused of killing her. On Monday, he was arraigned at the Port Harcourt magistrate court, where he is currently on trial for murder.

Upon the case’s calling, the prosecution requested remand proceedings, asking the court to place the defendant under the Nigerian Correctional Service’s (NCoS) custody.

He also begged the court to forward the case file to the DPP, the Department of Public Prosecutions, so they could provide further guidance. The defense attorney did not contest this application.

The magistrate, Obiageri Anugbum, ordered that the case file be sent to the DPP’s office and remanded Damian in prison custody, citing the seriousness of the claims. In order to get legal counsel, she further postponed the case to December 15, 2023.

Damian is charged with killing and mutilating Justina Otuene, a 200L biochemistry student who was allegedly his lover.