A storm of justice swept through Ogun State on Friday as the High Court in Abeokuta delivered a long-awaited verdict in a case that horrified the nation, the ritual killing of 16-year-old Sofia Okeowo.

Three young men;Mustakeem Balogun, Soliudeen Majekodunmi, and Lukmon Abdulgafar,  now face the consequences of their chilling crime. The court sentenced Mustakeem and Soliudeen to death, while Lukmon will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

On January 28, 2022, Sofia, full of life and dreams, visited her boyfriend Mustakeem in the Kugba area of Abeokuta South Local Government. She never made it home.

 Mustakeem, with his friend Soliudeen, attacked and strangled her during intercourse. After ending her life, they went a step further, beheading her and mutilating her body.

They stuffed her remains in a sack, and carried her severed head to Lukmon’s house, where they set it ablaze in what they believed was a ritual for wealth.

What exposed the crime wasn’t just an investigation, it was a viral video. In the haunting footage, community vigilantes apprehended the trio while Sofia’s head burned nearby. The young men, drenched in fear and desperation, were seen reciting incantations over her remains.

The footage gripped the nation with outrage and sorrow.

After years of legal battles, the gavel fell hard on Friday. Justice served  not just for Sofia, but for the soul of a society rocked by a wave of ritual killings involving youth.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade, welcomed the judgment with solemn satisfaction.

 “Ogun State has won this case,” he declared. “These convicts have been conclusively excluded from civilised society. We hope this brings some measure of closure to Sofia’s family.”

He commended the state’s legal team for their relentless pursuit of justice and resilience in the face of emotional and societal pressure.

Speaking to Nigeria’s youths, Ogungbade urged a return to values that uplift rather than destroy.

“We must tell our youth: there are no shortcuts to wealth. Chase skills. Build careers. Not coffins.”

He called on parents, communities, and leaders to instil discipline, honesty and hard work in the next generation, values that once defined the nation.

A fourth suspect, Waris Oladeinde, was earlier discharged due to lack of evidence. But for Mustakeem, Soliudeen, and Lukmon  the price for greed-fueled brutality is now paid in full.

Sofia’s life was cut short in a cruel and senseless act, but her death will not be in vain. It has sparked renewed calls for youth enlightenment, community vigilance, and the uncompromising pursuit of justice.