Minna, Nigeria – July 10, 2025
A 16-year-old girl, Miss Joy Afekafe, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for her role in the brutal murder of Dr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu, a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed of the Minna High Court No. 4, following a months-long trial.
The court found Afekafe guilty of culpable homicide and armed robbery, offences punishable under Sections 221 and 298 of the Penal Code. She was convicted alongside two accomplices; DJ Wallex and DJ Smart, who remain at large.
“This court holds that the prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Dr. Funmilayo Adefolalu is dead, and that her death was caused by the convict and her friends, who attacked her with knives and a wooden stool,” Justice Mohammed ruled. “Their intent was clear: they meant to kill her.”
According to court testimony, the tragic events unfolded on October 28, 2023, at the deceased’s residence in Gbaiko, Minna. Joy Afekafe, then 14 years old, had been serving as a housemaid to Dr. Adefolalu after being introduced by Pastor Ojo Peters of the Voice of Mercy Church, which both families attended.
However, tension arose when Dr. Adefolalu discovered that Afekafe had been stealing foreign currency and valuables from her home. She was subsequently dismissed.
In a chilling confession to the Homicide Squad of the Niger State Police Command, Afekafe admitted to returning to the house with the two male accomplices. “They stabbed her with knives,” she said. “She tried to defend herself with a stool, but they grabbed it and hit her on the head.” After the attack, the group allegedly stole mobile phones, a laptop, and more cash before fleeing the scene.
The prosecution, led by the Principal State Counsel from the Attorney General’s office, presented evidence to support the two-count charges. The judge noted that Afekafe’s voluntary statement to the police on November 3, 2023, corroborated with other material evidence.
“She was 14 at the time of the offence,” Justice Mohammed acknowledged. “By law, a death sentence shall not be recorded against a person under 18 years of age. Therefore, she is sentenced to life imprisonment, as prescribed by Section 221.”
The judgment, which lasted over two hours, brought some closure to the family and academic community mourning the loss of Dr. Adefolalu, described by colleagues as a dedicated scholar and compassionate mentor.
Police are continuing their search for the two accomplices still at large.
