A Niger State High Court sitting in Minna has sentenced a 16-year-old girl, Joy Afekafe, to life imprisonment for her involvement in the gruesome killing of Dr. Funmilayo Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
Presiding over the case, Justice Mohammed Mohammed of High Court 4 delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting Afekafe on charges of culpable homicide and armed robbery. These offences are punishable under Sections 221 and 298 of the Penal Code.
The incident occurred on October 28, 2023, at the deceased’s residence in the Gbaiko area of Minna. Investigations revealed that the teenager, who had previously served as a domestic worker in the lecturer’s home, orchestrated the attack in collaboration with two others identified as DJ Wallex and DJ Smart — both of whom are still at large.
According to the court proceedings, Afekafe admitted that she sought revenge after being dismissed from her job over allegations of theft. She reportedly lured the assailants to the residence under the guise of a visit. Upon entry, the attackers fatally assaulted the victim — stabbing her multiple times and striking her with a wooden stool. Items such as mobile phones, a laptop, foreign currency, and even a vehicle battery were taken from the scene.
The minor, who was 14 at the time of the crime, confessed to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), detailing her role and those of her accomplices. Due to her age at the time of the offence, the court replaced the mandatory death sentence for culpable homicide with life imprisonment. She also received an additional 10-year sentence for armed robbery.
Justice Mohammed stated: “The prosecution has successfully proven the charges of culpable homicide and armed robbery. However, considering the convict was under 18 when the crime was committed, the sentence has been adjusted accordingly in line with the Penal Code.”
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The murder of Dr. Adefolalu sent shockwaves through the FUT Minna academic community and sparked public concern over rising youth involvement in violent crimes and the safety protocols surrounding domestic staff.
The police, in a statement issued by the State Command’s spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed Afekafe’s arrest at a location in the Gbeganu area of Minna. The statement reiterated the teenager’s confession, describing how she returned to the lecturer’s home with her accomplices under the pretense of a visit, allowing them entry before the attack.
According to the police, the victim was discovered the following day by church members and friends who had gone to check on her after she failed to respond to calls. They found her lifeless body in a pool of blood inside her residence.
The case remains under further investigation, particularly regarding the whereabouts and prosecution of the other suspects.
