How 16-Year-Old Girl Was Sentenced to Life for Killing University Lecturer

A Niger State High Court has sentenced 16-year-old Joy Afekafe to life imprisonment for her involvement in the gruesome murder of Mrs. Funmilayo Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna).

Presiding over the case on Wednesday, Justice Mohammed Mohammed of High Court 4 in Minna found Afekafe guilty of culpable homicide and armed robbery—both offences under Sections 221 and 298 of the Penal Code. The judge, however, substituted the mandatory death sentence with life imprisonment due to the convict’s age at the time of the crime.

According to police reports and court evidence, the tragic incident occurred on October 28, 2023, at the Gbaiko residence of Mrs. Adefolalu. Joy Afekafe, who was just 14 years old then, had worked briefly as a housemaid for the lecturer before being dismissed over an alleged case of theft.

Shortly after her dismissal, Afekafe allegedly conspired with two accomplices—DJ Wallex and DJ Smart, both currently at large—to “deal with” her former employer. The trio launched a deadly attack, during which the lecturer was stabbed multiple times and struck with a wooden stool, leading to her death. The attackers also carted away valuable items including a laptop, mobile phones, foreign currencies, and even a car battery.

In her confessional statement to the police, Afekafe admitted to setting up the attack. On the day of the incident, she lured Mrs. Adefolalu to open her gate, allowing the two male suspects to enter and carry out the assault.

The murder shocked the FUTMinna academic community and sparked nationwide discussions about youth involvement in violent crimes, and the safety risks associated with hiring underage domestic workers.

Justice Mohammed, while delivering the verdict, stated:

“From the evidence before me, I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the offences of culpable homicide punishable with death and armed robbery against the convict… However, as the convict was below 18 years old at the time of committing the offence, a sentence of life imprisonment is imposed in line with the provisions of the Penal Code.”

Afekafe was also handed an additional 10-year sentence for armed robbery.