After nine years of legal battles, adjournments and a prolonged wait for justice, the family of murdered first-class university student Elozino Joshualia Ogege can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, on Wednesday sentenced two men to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder of the 300-level Mass Communication student of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge found Macaulay Desmond Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
However, the court discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Nwosisi Benedict Uche.
Elozino Joshualia Ogege, a first-class student and indigene of Isoko, Delta State, was killed in 2019 in what prosecutors described as a ritual murder allegedly linked to internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo plus” boys.
The young student was reportedly lured to her death after she left to meet an agent who was allegedly helping her secure accommodation around the university community in Abraka.
What followed was a gruesome tragedy that shocked her family, fellow students and the wider Isoko community.
The Delta State Government subsequently charged Oghenemaro, Onoriode and Uche with an eight-count charge involving conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.
A fourth defendant, Robinson Obajero Ojokojo, a native doctor, died while the trial was still ongoing.
The case dragged on for years, with repeated adjournments reportedly caused in part by the absence of counsel for the first defendant.
But after the adoption of final written addresses earlier this year, the long-awaited judgment date was finally fixed for July 29, 2026.
Delivering her verdict, Justice Azinge convicted Oghenemaro and Onoriode over their roles in the kidnapping and killing of Ogege.
For the murder conviction, the two men were sentenced to death by hanging.
‘Justice has finally been delivered’
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 victim’s family had waited nine years to see justice done.
“Today, we witnessed the conclusion of a trial that commenced about nine years ago,” he said.
According to him, although the judgment could not bring Ogege back, it could help her family find closure.
He said: “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.
“Our prayer is that, yes, this judgment will not bring her back, but it will help them find closure.”
Erebe also issued a warning to young Nigerians chasing quick wealth through crime and ritual killings.
He said the judgment should serve as a warning to those involved in “Yahoo Yahoo”, ritual killings and other criminal activities.
“No matter how long it takes, the law will eventually take its course,” he warned.
‘Justice at last’
Isoko lawyer Duncan Afahokor also welcomed the verdict, describing it simply as “Justice at last.”
He said the judgment showed that justice had not only been done but had been “manifestly seen to be done”.
According to him, the verdict should serve as a warning to young men who believe they can become wealthy by taking innocent lives for ritual purposes.
He also praised members of the Umeh Need Road Facebook page for keeping Ogege’s memory alive and consistently demanding justice throughout the lengthy legal battle.
Afahokor said the verdict should remind Nigerians that “true prosperity cannot be built on bloodshed.”
Dr Sebastine Ogoloyoyo Agbefe, former President of the Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG), and Xino Monnitey, founder and President of The Ideal Isoko Woman (TIIW), were also among Isoko stakeholders and Nigerians who had condemned Ogege’s killing and demanded justice.
They welcomed Wednesday’s judgment, describing it as long-awaited justice for Ogege and her grieving family.
After nine years, the case has finally reached its dramatic conclusion—but for Elozino’s family, the scars of the brutal loss will remain.
