By Sunday Apah
Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora of the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta sentenced Mustakeem Balogun and Soliudeen Majekodunmi to death by hanging on Friday.
Additionally, Lukmon Abdulgafar was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 16-year-old Sofia Okeowo in Kugba, Abeokuta, on January 28, 2022.
The Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade, announced these verdicts in a statement released to the press on Friday.
It was recalled that Sofia had visited her boyfriend, Mustakeem, who engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Afterward, Mustakeem reportedly attacked and strangled her with the assistance of Soliudeen, then beheaded her. The perpetrators then mutilated parts of Sofia’s thighs and placed her headless body into a sack. The head was later taken to Lukmon’s residence, where it was burned using a local burner.
A widely circulated video from January 2022 showed community guards catching the three suspects with Sofia’s head burning in a local burner. The footage also depicted them reciting incantations over her body.
In the official statement, the commissioner stated, “On July 11, 2025, Mustakeem Balogun, Soliudeen Majekodunmi, and Lukmon Abdulgafar faced justice for the gruesome murder of Sofia Okeowo.”
He further explained that the crime occurred on January 28, 2022, in the Kugba area of Abeokuta. Mustakeem allegedly lured Sofia with the intent of engaging in sexual activity and then murdered her as part of a premeditated ritual to acquire charms believed to bring wealth.
While Mustakeem and Soliudeen were sentenced to death by hanging, Lukmon Abdulgafar received a life sentence, following the court’s verdict.
The commissioner emphasized that the current administration is committed to eradicating crime, including ritual killings, and hopes that these convictions will serve as a warning to others involved in similar illegal activities.
Source: Punch
