Eight Years After, Court Sentences Two To Death For Murder Of DELSU First-Class Student, Elozino

Eight years after the gruesome killing of Elozino Joshualia Ogege, a first-class 300-level Mass Communication student of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, a High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, has sentenced two men to death by hanging for her murder.

Elozino

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge found Desmond Macaulay Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder.

The court sentenced the two convicts to death by hanging for the murder of Elozino, while the third defendant, Nwonsisi Benedict Uche, was discharged and acquitted of the eight-count charge.

Elozino, an indigene of Isoko, Delta State, was murdered in 2018 in a case that attracted nationwide outrage. She was reportedly killed after she went to meet an agent who was assisting her in securing an apartment within the university community.

The Delta State Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, had charged the defendants with an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder.

A fourth defendant, Robinson Obajero Ojokojo, a native doctor linked to the case, died during the prolonged trial.

Reacting to the judgment, Delta State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, who led the prosecution team, described the verdict as a landmark judgment.

Erebe said the judgment had brought justice to Elozino’s family after years of waiting, adding that the verdict should serve as a warning to those involved in ritual killings and other criminal activities.

He noted that Elozino’s mother was emotional in court after the judgment, expressing hope that the verdict would help the family find closure.

Human rights activist Kelvin Ejumudo, who announced the judgment, commended the Delta State Solicitor-General and his team, the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, the Human Rights Congress, media organisations, human rights activists, and Nigerians who supported the call for justice.

Ejumudo also disclosed that the herbalist allegedly linked to the crime died in custody while awaiting trial, alleging that the suspect had instructed the accused persons to obtain human body parts for ritual purposes.

He described the judgment as a victory for justice, saying the outcome proved that “justice delayed is not justice denied.”

Also reacting to the verdict, Isoko lawyer Duncan Afahokor described it as “justice at last,” saying the judgment would serve as a strong warning against the killing of innocent people for ritual purposes.

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The case remained one of Delta State’s most closely followed murder trials since Elozino’s death, with human rights groups, media organisations, and members of the public repeatedly demanding justice for the slain DELSU student.