A 16-year-old girl, Joy Afekafe, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a High Court in Minna, Niger State, for killing a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna. The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, July 10, by Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed of Court No. 4.
The incident happened on October 28, 2023, at the home of the victim, Dr. Mrs. Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu, in Gbaiko, Minna. Joy, who had worked briefly as the lecturer’s housemaid, was dismissed after she was caught stealing cash and valuables. She was introduced to the household earlier that month by a pastor from the church attended by both her mother and the deceased.
After her dismissal, Joy reportedly teamed up with two friends known as DJ Wallex and DJ Smart to attack the lecturer. According to her statement to the police, they stormed the house, stabbed the woman several times, and struck her head with a stool when she tried to resist. The attackers stole two phones, a laptop, and foreign currency before fleeing the scene. The two male suspects are still on the run.
Joy was charged with culpable homicide and armed robbery. The court found her guilty on both counts, stating that the prosecution proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Though the crime carries a death sentence under Section 221 of the Penal Code, the judge noted that because Joy was under 18 at the time of the offence, she could not be sentenced to death. Instead, she was given life imprisonment for the homicide and 10 years for the robbery.
Justice Mohammed explained that the law allows minors found guilty of capital offences to receive a custodial sentence rather than capital punishment. Joy was 14 years old when the crime was committed but turned 16 before the conclusion of the trial.
She will serve both sentences at a custodial centre.
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