A Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku has sentenced two men to death by hanging for the kidnap and murder of Miss Elozino Joshualia Ogege, a 300-level Mass Communication student of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka.
Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge delivered the judgment on Thursday, ending a nine-year trial over the 2019 murder that shocked Delta State.
The convicted men are Macaulay Desmond Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode. They were found guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted a third defendant, Nwosisi Benedict Uche*, for lack of sufficient evidence.
Miss Oge, 22, an indigene of Isoko, was killed after she left to meet an agent who promised to help her get accommodation around the DELSU Abraka campus.
Her murder sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with students demanding justice and better security on campuses.
Justice Azinge ruled that the prosecution proved its case against the first and second defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
Her death sparked outrage after reports alleged that parts of her body, including her eyes, breasts, and heart, had been removed in what investigators linked to a ritual killing involving suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo Plus” operators.
The Delta State Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, arraigned the defendants on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, membership of an unlawful society, and murder.
A fourth defendant, Robinson Obajero Ojokojo, a native doctor, alleged to have requested her body parts for money making purposes died in prison custody during the course of the prolonged trial.
The case witnessed several adjournments over the years, largely due to the repeated absence of counsel representing the first defendant.
Sequel to the adoption of final written addresses earlier this year, Justice Azinge reserved judgment, which was delivered on July 29, 2026.
Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, Solicitor -General and Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Justice who led the prosecution alongside Okolotu Ugochukwu and Funkekeme Solomon Junior, described the verdict as a landmark judgment and a significant victory for justice.
He said: “Today, we witnessed the conclusion of a trial that commenced about nine years ago. The court found the first and third defendants guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping, as well as conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
”They received various terms of imprisonment on the different counts, but for the offences of conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of Miss Elozino Ogege, they were sentenced to death by hanging.”
Erebe said that the judgment would hopefully bring them some measure of closure.
He added: ” On behalf of the Delta State Government and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, we extend our condolences to the family. They have waited nine years for justice, and today justice has finally been served. Although this judgment cannot bring Miss Elozino back, we hope it will help the family find closure”.
He added that the judgment should serve as a strong warning against ritual killings and other violent crimes.
He said: “This judgment sends a clear message to young people seeking quick wealth through ritual killings or other criminal means.
“No matter how long it takes, the law will eventually catch up with offenders. I urge everyone to desist from crime because the law will always take its course”.
Counsel to the third defendant, Mr. Benjamin Okoh, also described it as “justice at last.”
According to him, the judgment represented justice that was not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.
