Nearly eight years after the brutal killing of Delta State University undergraduate, Elozino Ogege, shocked Nigerians, justice has finally been served as a Delta State High Court sentenced two men to death by hanging for her murder while clearing a third defendant of all charges.
Justice Ngozi Azinge delivered the judgment on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the High Court in Ogwashi-Uku, bringing to an end a lengthy trial over the abduction and killing of the 300-level Mass Communication student, whose death in November 2018 sparked nationwide outrage.
The prosecution had arraigned five suspects in 2019 on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder. However, two of the defendants died before the trial was concluded, leaving three men to face judgment.
After evaluating the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, the court ruled that there was no case against Benedict Uche, a security guard, and discharged and acquitted him of all charges.
Justice Azinge, however, found that the prosecution successfully proved its case against Macaulay Oghenemaro and Enike Onoriode, convicting them on four counts, including kidnapping and murder.
Besides imposing prison terms ranging from seven years to life imprisonment on separate counts, the court sentenced both convicts to death by hanging for the murder of Elozino Ogege.
The prosecuting counsel described the verdict as a major victory in the fight against ritual killings and other violent crimes, expressing confidence that it would discourage others from engaging in similar offences.
For Elozino Ogege’s family, the ruling brings a measure of closure after years of painful court proceedings and uncertainty.
Speaking after his acquittal, Benedict Uche thanked the court for clearing his name and said he was eager to reunite with his wife and three children after spending years defending himself against the allegations.
The two convicted men have been returned to the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre, where they will remain pending the determination of any appeal and the execution of the court’s sentence.
The judgment brings to a close one of Delta State’s most prominent homicide cases and reinforces the judiciary’s resolve to ensure that perpetrators of serious crimes are held accountable under the law.