A Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has sentenced two men convicted of killing a student of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Elozino Joshualia Ogege, to death by hanging after a nine-year legal battle.
Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, found Macaulay Desmond Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of Ogege. The court, however, discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Nwosisi Benedict Uche.
Ogege, a first-class undergraduate of DELSU and an indigene of Isoko, Delta State, was murdered in 2019 by suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo plus boys” in an alleged ritual killing. The deceased was reportedly killed in Abraka after she went out 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 Oghenemaro, Onoriode and Uche with an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and murder. A fourth defendant, Robinson Obajero Ojokojo, a native doctor, died during the prolonged trial.
The case suffered several delays and adjournments over the years, largely due to the repeated absence of counsel representing the first defendant. The trial eventually progressed after the adoption of final written addresses earlier this year, with Justice Azinge fixing July 29, 2026, for judgment. Delivering the verdict on Wednesday, Justice Azinge convicted Oghenemaro and Onoriode for their roles in the kidnapping and murder of Ogege and sentenced them to death by hanging for the murder conviction.
Reacting to the judgment, the Solicitor-General of Delta State and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe (SAN), who led the prosecution team, described it as a “landmark judgement.” “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,” Erebe said.
“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…. “
