16-Year Old Girl Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Murder Of FUT Minna Lecturer.
A 16-year-old girl, Joy Afekafe, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a High Court in Minna, Niger State, for her role in the brutal murder of Dr. Mrs. Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna. The verdict, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed of Minna High Court No. 4, also included a 10-year sentence for armed robbery, to be served concurrently. The shocking crime, which occurred on 28 October 2023 at the lecturer’s residence in the Gbaiko area of Minna, has sent ripples through the local community and raised concerns about youth involvement in violent crime.
Joy Afekafe, who was 14 at the time of the offence, was convicted on two counts of culpable homicide and armed robbery, offences punishable under Sections 221 and 298 of the Penal Code. The court heard that Afekafe, a former housemaid to Dr. Adefolalu, conspired with two accomplices, identified as Walex and Smart, who remain at large. The prosecution, led by the Principal State Counsel from the Niger State Attorney General’s office, presented compelling evidence that Afekafe and her accomplices stabbed the lecturer multiple times with knives and struck her with a wooden stool, leading to her death. The court ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the teenager’s actions directly caused the lecturer’s death.
The case began to unfold when Dr. Adefolalu’s friends and church members, concerned by her unresponsiveness, visited her home on 29 October 2023. They discovered her lifeless body in a pool of blood, with two bloodstained knives recovered at the scene. Police investigations led to Afekafe’s arrest on 30 October 2023 in the Gbeganu area of Minna. During interrogation, the teenager confessed to her involvement, revealing that she had worked as Dr. Adefolalu’s housemaid for approximately three weeks before being sacked for alleged theft. Enraged by her dismissal, Afekafe enlisted her classmates, Walex and Smart, to confront the lecturer. What began as a plan to assault Dr. Adefolalu escalated into a fatal attack when the group feared she would report them to the authorities.
According to police reports, Afekafe gained entry to the lecturer’s residence by presenting herself at the gate, which Dr. Adefolalu opened, unaware of the impending danger. Once inside, the trio beat the victim, struck her head with a stool, and stabbed her repeatedly with a knife brought by Walex and another taken from the lecturer’s kitchen. The attackers also stole Dr. Adefolalu’s phone, laptop, and car battery before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. The Niger State Police Command continues its efforts to apprehend the two accomplices, who are still at large.
The murder of Dr. Adefolalu, a respected academic in the Department of Biochemistry at FUT Minna and a pastor at the Voice of Mercy Ministry, has deeply shaken the university community and beyond. The church, in a statement issued shortly after the incident, expressed profound grief and called for a thorough investigation to ensure justice for their beloved pastor. The case has sparked wider discussions about the vetting of household staff and the increasing involvement of young people in violent crimes, prompting calls for stronger community and educational interventions.
Justice Mohammed, in delivering the judgement, noted that while the death penalty was applicable for culpable homicide, Afekafe’s age at the time of the crime—under 18—meant life imprisonment was the appropriate sentence. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the offence while adhering to legal provisions for juvenile offenders. The sentencing has elicited mixed reactions, with some commending the court’s firmness and others expressing concern over the future of a teenager now facing life behind bars.
The tragic loss of Dr. Adefolalu has left an indelible mark on FUT Minna and the wider Niger State community. As the university mourns one of its own, the case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and early intervention to address the root causes of youth delinquency. The police have vowed to continue their pursuit of the remaining suspects, ensuring that all those responsible for this heinous act face justice.
