By Oghenefejiro Emado
31, July 2026
LightRay Media Founder, Lady Ejiro Umukoro, Recounts Investigative Role In Landmark
A High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, has sentenced two men to death by hanging for the 2018 ritual murder of Miss Elozino Oge, a 300-level student of Delta State University, DELSU.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, His Lordship Hon. Justice F. N. Azinge sentenced the first defendant, Desmond Macaulay Oghenemaro, and the third defendant, Enaike Onoriode, to death by hanging. The second defendant, Nwonsisi Benedict Uche, was discharged and acquitted of the eight-count charge. The court was further informed that the herbalist linked to the case, who allegedly demanded human parts for “hot money,” died in custody while awaiting trial.
*LIGHTRAY! MEDIA’S ROLE IN THE INVESTIGATION*
The case first gained national attention following an investigative piece titled *“RITUAL DOES NOT GIVE US MONEY”*, published after the murder.
Lady Ejiro Umukoro, Founder of *LightRay! Media* and Author of the True Crime Novel *DISTORTION SERIES*, said she led the investigation and worked closely with the Delta State Police Command, including the late PPRO Aniemeke and a covert team, to track the suspects.
According to her, the investigation included tracking the location where the victim’s body was discarded and creating a data visualisation map to geolocate it. She stated that the report went viral and helped sustain public pressure on the case.
“I never stopped fighting for EloZino OGE. She could have been my daughter, a sister, a niece, cousin, or a much younger colleague,” Lady Umukoro stated.
*BACKGROUND OF THE CASE*
For those unfamiliar with the case, Miss Elozino Oge was gruesomely murdered in 2018 at DELSU. Prosecutors told the court that her heart and eyes were removed while she was still alive.
The suspects were arrested following a joint effort by the Nigeria Police Force Delta State Command and other stakeholders. The prosecution was handled by the Office of the Solicitor General of Delta State, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, and his team.
*THE JUDGMENT*
Eight years after the incident, the Ogwashi-Uku High Court delivered its judgment. Justice Azinge held that the evidence presented established the culpability of Oghenemaro and Onoriode in the murder.
The court ordered that both men be hanged by the neck until they are dead.
*APPRECIATION TO STAKEHOLDERS*
Following the judgment, Lady Umukoro commended the Nigeria Judiciary for upholding the law. She also thanked the Solicitor General of Delta State, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, and his team “for fighting to ensure justice prevails in this matter.”
She further acknowledged the Nigeria Police Force Delta State Command, human rights groups, and media organizations that sustained coverage and advocacy. These include ICIR, _The Guardian_, Channels Television, Arise News, *LightRay! Media*, Patrick Ochei, Kelvin, Israel Joe, and other activists and CSOs in Delta State.
“We refused to stay silent when evil people with dark mindsets want to normalise DISTORTION. We say no to rewarding bad behaviour,” she said.
Miss Oge was described in court as a bright, gifted A+ student. Her mother was present during the judgment.
The case has been referenced widely in discussions around ritual killings and youth crime in Nigeria.
