A Minna High Court has sentenced 16-year-old Miss Joy Afekafe to life imprisonment for the murder of Dr Mrs Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna.
Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed, delivering judgment on Wednesday, held that the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the deceased was killed by Afekafe, alongside her accomplices—identified as Walex and Smart—who remain at large.
The court found that Afekafe, who was just 14 years old at the time of the offence in 2023, conspired with her classmates to fatally attack the lecturer. The victim was stabbed multiple times and struck with a wooden stool, leading to her death. Evidence presented included bloodstained knives recovered from the scene and the suspect’s own confession.
Justice Mohammed stated:
“From the evidence before me, I’m satisfied that the prosecution has proved the offences of culpable homicide punishable with death and armed robbery against the convict.”
While Section 221 of the Penal Code prescribes the death penalty for such offences, the law prohibits passing a death sentence on a minor. The court, therefore, sentenced Afekafe to life imprisonment for culpable homicide and ten years for armed robbery.
The Niger State Police Command disclosed that Afekafe had previously served as a housemaid to the deceased but was dismissed due to misconduct. She later conspired with her classmates to retaliate.
Police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that officers recovered two bloodstained knives from the scene.
During interrogation, the convict admitted her role in the premeditated attack.
Efforts to apprehend her accomplices are ongoing.
