Court Sentences Two to Death, One to Life Imprisonment for Ritual Killing of 16-Year-Old in Ogun

An Ogun State High Court has sentenced two young men to death and another to life imprisonment for the brutal ritual killing of 16-year-old Sofia Okeowo in the Kugba area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

The convicts—Mustakeem Balogun, Soliudeen Majekodunmi, and Lukmon Abdulgafar—were found guilty of the gruesome murder which occurred on January 28, 2022. A fourth suspect, Waris Oladeinde, was earlier released on March 22, 2022, due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

According to court records, Sofia had gone to visit her boyfriend, Mustakeem, who during sexual intercourse, conspired with Soliudeen to strangle her. They then beheaded her and cut parts of her thighs before placing her body in a sack. The victim’s severed head was later taken to Lukmon’s house, where it was burned using a local burner.

The case gained widespread attention after a disturbing video surfaced online, showing the suspects being apprehended by local guards. The footage revealed the burning of Sofia’s head while the trio recited incantations over her remains.

Following the trial, the court sentenced Mustakeem and Soliudeen to death, while Lukmon received a life sentence.

Reacting to the judgment, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, Oluwasina Ogungbade, said the ruling represents a significant victory for the state. He commended the prosecutors for their diligence and expressed gratitude for the closure provided to the victim’s family.

Ogungbade emphasized the state’s commitment to pursuing justice and urged young people to seek productive paths such as vocational skills or employment, warning against the lure of ritual practices. He also called on society to uphold traditional values of hard work, integrity, and shared responsibility in shaping the future generation.