Ogun Court convicts three for ritual killing of 16-year-old girl

An Ogun State High Court on Friday, July 11, convicted and sentenced three young men for the gruesome ritual killing of 16-year-old Sofia Okeowo in the Kugba area of Abeokuta South Local Government. The convicts Mustakeem Balogun, Soliudeen Majekodunmi, and Lukmon Abdulgafar were found guilty of murdering Sofia on January 28, 2022, in a case that shocked the nation.According to court proceedings, Sofia had visited her boyfriend, Mustakeem, who, along with Soliudeen, strangled her during a sexual encounter. They then beheaded her, cut parts of her thighs, and stuffed her headless body into a sack. Her head was taken to Lukmons house, where it was burnt on a local burner as part of a ritual. The crime drew widespread outrage after a viral video showed the three being apprehended by community guards while burning Sofias head and chanting incantations. Delivering judgment, the court sentenced Mustakeem and Soliudeen to death by hanging, while Lukmon received a life sentence. Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, described the conviction as a major victory for justice and a step toward restoring public confidence. Ogun State has won this case, and the convicts have been conclusively excluded from civilized society for the considerable future, he said. We are grateful for the closure this judgment provides to Sofias family. I commend our prosecutors who, despite challenges, secured justice. Ogungbade also warned young people against seeking wealth through ritual practices, urging them instead to pursue education, skills, and legitimate employment. He called on the public to uphold traditional values of hard work, integrity, and community responsibility in the fight against crime. The post Ogun Court convicts three for ritual killing of 16-year-old girl appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.