DELSU Student Elozino Ogege's Murderers Condemned to Death After Nine-Year Court Battle

A Delta State High Court, located in Ogwashi-Uku within the Aniocha South Local Government Area, has handed down a death sentence by hanging to two individuals found guilty of the murder of Elozino Joshualia Ogege. Ogege was a 300-level Mass Communication student at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and had achieved first-class status. This significant judgment concludes a legal proceeding that spanned nine years.

Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge, who presided over the case, delivered the verdict on Wednesday, finding Macaulay Desmond Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode culpable on multiple counts. These included conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and the actual murder of Ms. Ogege. However, the court's decision also saw the third defendant, Nwosisi Benedict Uche, discharged and acquitted of all charges.

The tragic incident occurred in 2019 when Ogege, an indigene of Isoko, Delta State, was reportedly killed in Abraka. She was said to have been meeting with an agent to secure accommodation within the university community when she fell victim to suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as "Yahoo Yahoo plus boys," in what was described as a ritual killing.

The Delta State Government, acting through the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, had initially filed an eight-count charge against Oghenemaro, Onoriode, and Uche. These charges encompassed conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder. A fourth defendant, Robinson Obajero Ojokojo, who was identified as a native doctor, passed away during the protracted trial.

The judicial process was plagued by numerous delays and adjournments over the years, primarily attributed to the consistent absence of the legal counsel representing the first defendant. The trial eventually gained momentum after the final written addresses were submitted earlier this year. Although Justice Azinge had initially scheduled July 29, 2026, for the judgment, the verdict was ultimately delivered on Wednesday.

In her ruling, Justice Azinge found Oghenemaro and Onoriode responsible for their involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Ogege. They were sentenced to death by hanging for the murder conviction.

Reacting to the court's decision, Omamuzo Erebe (SAN), the Solicitor-General of Delta State and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, who spearheaded the prosecution team, hailed it as a "landmark judgment." Erebe stated, "Today, we witnessed the conclusion of a trial that commenced about nine years ago. The court found the first and third defendants guilty of the offences of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping, and the offences of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. They were sentenced on various counts of imprisonment. But for the offences of conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of Miss Elozino Ogege, they were sentenced to death by hanging."

Extending condolences to the victim's family, Erebe added, "So today, on behalf of the Delta State Government and the Commissioner for Justice, our condolences go to the family. The family has been waiting for justice for nine years, and justice has been delivered to them and the entire family. You could notice that the mother of the deceased was very emotional in court. It is normal. And we are still hopeful. Our prayer is that, yes, this judgement will not bring her back, but it will help them find closure. And that is what we are praying for."

He further issued a stern caution, saying, "Secondly, this is a judgement that sends a message. The ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ or whatever you call it, ritual killings or whatever, in the end, the law will take its course. So to young men who believe that they want to get rich quickly, yes, through ritual killings, through all these methods, eventually you will end up like the first and third in this matter. The law will take its course. No matter how long it takes, the law will eventually take its course. And I advise you to please desist from crime.”

Isoko lawyer Duncan Afahokor also commented on the verdict, calling it "Justice at last" and asserting that it represented justice that was not only served but "manifestly seen to be done." Afahokor emphasized, "This judgment is not only justice done, but justice manifestly seen to be done. It stands as a powerful lesson to young men who may be deceived into believing that wealth can be attained through the killing of innocent lives for ritual purposes. The law has spoken clearly: such barbaric acts will not go unpunished.” He also acknowledged the "Umeh Need Road Facebook page" for their persistent advocacy.

Earlier calls for justice for the young student had been made by prominent Isoko figures, including Dr. Sebastine Ogoloyoyo Agbefe, former President of Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG), and Xino Monnitey, founder and president of The Ideal Isoko Woman (TIIW). They, along with other Nigerians, had condemned the killing and now welcomed Wednesday’s judgment as justice for Ogege and her family.