Ogun State Court Sentences Three Men to Death for Murder of 16-Year-Old Girl

Abeokuta, Ogun State — An Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta has sentenced three young men to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a 16-year-old girl, Sofia Okeow in January 2022.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora on July 11, 2025 following a trial that revealed the gruesome details of the crime.

According to the prosecution, the victim, Sofia, had gone to visit her boyfriend, Mustakeem Balogun who, after engaging in sexual intercourse with her, attacked and strangled her with the assistance of Soliudeen Majekodunmi.

They subsequently beheaded Sofia, mutilated parts of her body, and stuffed her headless corpse into a sack. The victim’s head was taken to the home of Lukmon Abdulgafar the third accused where it was burned using a local burner.

The horrific act was captured in a viral video that showed the trio caught by community guards while performing incantations over Sofia’s corpse and burning her head.

Justice Ogunfowora found Mustakeem Balogun and Soliudeen Majekodunmi guilty of murder and sentenced them to death by hanging. Lukmon Abdulgafar was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the crime.

The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade, confirmed the sentences in a statement, emphasizing the court’s commitment to delivering justice in cases of ritualistic killings.

This verdict adds to a series of death sentences handed down by Ogun State courts in recent months for heinous crimes, reflecting the judiciary’s firm stance against violent offenses in the state.

The court’s decision has been welcomed by the public as a step toward deterring similar crimes and upholding the rule of law.