The Ogun State Government, through its Ministry of Justice, on Friday secured the conviction of three individuals involved in the gruesome ritual killing of a 16-year-old girl, Sofia Okeowo, in the Kugba area of Abeokuta South Local Government.
The convicts — Mustakeem Balogun, Soliudeen Majekodunmi, and Lukmon Abdulgafar — were found guilty of the brutal murder, which occurred on January 28, 2022.
The case drew widespread attention after a disturbing video of the incident went viral on social media.
According to court proceedings, Sofia had gone to visit her boyfriend, Mustakeem, who lured her into a trap. During their meeting, he and his accomplice, Soliudeen, had sexual intercourse with her before strangling her to death. The pair then beheaded the victim and removed parts of her thighs.
The dismembered body was stuffed into a sack, while Sofia’s severed head was taken to Lukmon’s residence, where it was set ablaze using a local burner. The viral video showed the trio chanting incantations over the burning head, prompting outrage and a swift response from local authorities and community guards who apprehended them.
Delivering judgment on Friday, the Ogun State High Court sentenced Mustakeem Balogun and Soliudeen Majekodunmi to death by hanging, while Lukmon Abdulgafar received a life imprisonment sentence for his role in the crime.
Reacting to the ruling, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the trial.
“Ogun State has won this case, and the convicts have been conclusively excluded from civilised society for the considerable future,” Ogungbade said.
He extended sympathy to the family of the victim and praised the legal team that prosecuted the case.
“We are grateful for the closure that we have been able to provide Sofia’s family. I am incredibly proud of the prosecutors at the Ministry of Justice who secured justice despite challenges,” he added.
The Commissioner reiterated the state’s commitment to upholding justice and cracking down on ritual killings, which have been a disturbing trend in parts of Nigeria.
Ogungbade also issued a strong message to the youth, urging them to embrace skill acquisition, education, and hard work rather than engaging in criminal acts motivated by the quest for quick wealth.
He called on society to return to traditional values rooted in discipline, moral instruction, and collective responsibility, stressing the importance of community vigilance in preventing such tragedies.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate