Three Men Sentenced Over Ogun Ritual Killing of 16-Year-Old Girl

An Ogun ritual killing case that shocked many Nigerians has finally come to a close, as three young men were convicted and sentenced for the brutal murder of 16-year-old Sofia Okeowo in Abeokuta.

On Friday, an Ogun State High Court found Mustakeem Balogun, Soliudeen Majekodunmi, and Lukmon Abdulgafar guilty of killing the teenage girl on January 28, 2022, in the Kugba area of Abeokuta South Local Government.

According to court reports, Sofia had gone to visit her boyfriend, Mustakeem. During their time together, he and his friend Soliudeen strangled her. After killing her, they cut off her head and thighs and put her body in a sack.

They then took her head to Lukmon’s house, where it was burned on a local burner as part of a ritual act. The crime gained national attention after a video surfaced online showing the three men being caught by community guards while burning the head and chanting incantations.

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Delivering the verdict, the court sentenced Mustakeem and Soliudeen to death by hanging, while Lukmon received life imprisonment.

Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, hailed the ruling as a major step forward in the fight for justice.

“This judgment is a victory for justice and a strong message to those who engage in such evil acts,” he said. “The government remains committed to ensuring the safety and protection of every citizen.”

He also warned young people to avoid seeking riches through dangerous and criminal means like rituals.

The sentencing of the trio brings some closure to the grieving family of Sofia and serves as a reminder of the consequences of ritual killings.

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