A High Court in Minna has sentenced 16-year-old Joy Afekafe to life imprisonment after finding her guilty of culpable homicide and armed robbery in connection with the brutal murder of Dr. Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT).
The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The tragic incident occurred on 28 October 2023 at the lecturer’s residence in Gbaiko. Joy, who had been employed as a housemaid earlier that month, was introduced to the victim’s household by Pastor Ojo Peters of the Voice of Mercy Church, which both the victim and Joy’s mother attended.
During her brief stay, Joy reportedly began stealing valuables, including foreign currency. Upon discovery, Dr. Adefolalu dismissed her.
Following the dismissal, Joy allegedly conspired with two accomplices—identified as DJ Wallex and DJ Smart, who are currently at large—to attack the lecturer.
In her confession to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Joy detailed how her friends stabbed the lecturer multiple times before bludgeoning her with a wooden stool.
The attackers stole the victim’s phones, a laptop, and more foreign currency before fleeing the scene.
In delivering the judgment, the judge noted that the evidence—including Joy’s confession and in-court testimony—clearly established her role in the crime.
Although Joy was only 14 years old at the time of the offence, she was sentenced to life imprisonment, as Nigerian law prohibits the death penalty for minors.
Her two accomplices remain at large as investigations continue.
