A Delta State High Court in Ogwashi-Uku has handed down a death sentence by hanging to two men, Desmond Macaulay Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode, for the brutal murder of Miss Elozino Ogege, a student of Delta State University, Abraka, in 2018. The court acquitted the third defendant, Nwonsisi Benedict Uche, of all eight charges brought against him. The judgment was delivered on Thursday, July 29, by His Lordship, Hon Justice F. N. Azinge, marking the culmination of an eight-year legal process following the heinous crime.
Miss Elozino Ogege was gruesomely murdered in 2018, with her heart removed and eyes plucked out, sparking outrage across the country. The case drew national attention due to the barbaric nature of the killing and the prolonged delay in justice. The prosecution, led by the Solicitor-General of Delta State, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, and his legal team, worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to account. The court found that the suspects were acting under the direction of a herbalist who allegedly instructed them to procure human body parts for “quick money,” a man who later died in custody while awaiting trial.
The trial has been a long and arduous journey, with the case lingering in the courts for nearly a decade. The acquittal of Nwonsisi Benedict Uche was based on insufficient evidence linking him to the murder. Despite this, the conviction of the two other suspects has been hailed as a significant step toward justice for the victim and her family. The prosecution team’s persistence and the cooperation of law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in securing the verdict.
Comrade Kelvin Ejumudo, Senior Special Assistant on Human Rights to the Delta State Governor and National Secretary of the Human Rights Protection Congress (HRPC), welcomed the judgment. He stated, “Justice delayed indeed is not justice denied,” emphasizing that the verdict reaffirms public faith in the legal system. Ejumudo also noted, “Finally, the voice of the people prevailed,” underscoring the collective demand for accountability and justice that has echoed through civil society and media outlets over the years.
He expressed appreciation to the Solicitor-General, the Nigeria Police Force’s Delta State Command, and other stakeholders for their diligence. Ejumudo also acknowledged the role of media organizations and concerned Nigerians who kept the case in the public eye, ensuring that the pursuit of justice remained a national priority. The case has become a symbol of the need for faster, more transparent judicial processes in Nigeria.
As the legal process concludes, the hope is that this verdict will serve as a deterrent to future crimes and reinforce the principle that no one is above the law. The judgment also highlights the importance of sustained public engagement in ensuring justice is served, even after years of delay.
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