Prophet and LASU Student Sentenced to Death for Killing Final Year Student
Justice Christiana Obadina of the Osun State High Court, Ikire, on Monday, July 17, 2023, sentenced one Prophet Philip Segun and Owolabi Adeeko to death by hanging for the murder of Favour Oladele, a final year student of the Lagos State University (LASU). The judge also sentenced Owolabi’s mother, Bola Adeeko, to two years imprisonment for eating Oladele’s heart.
The case, which has been dubbed as one of the most gruesome and shocking crimes in recent times, attracted public outrage and condemnation when it was first reported in December 2019. According to the prosecution, the convicts killed Oladele on December 8, 2019, and used her heart to prepare a money ritual meal. The victim was lured by Owolabi, who was her boyfriend and classmate, to Ikire where she met Prophet Segun. The prophet then slaughtered her and removed her heart. He later gave it to Owolabi and his mother to eat as part of the ritual.
The convicts were arrested by the police after Oladele’s parents reported her missing. They confessed to the crime and led the police to where they buried her remains. The police also recovered some items from the prophet’s shrine, including a human skull, bones, hair, clothes, and a calabash containing blood.
The trial lasted for over three years and witnessed several adjournments and delays. The defense counsel tried to argue that the convicts were mentally unstable and acted under duress. However, the judge dismissed their claims and found them guilty of conspiracy and murder. She said that the convicts deserved the maximum punishment for their heinous act and that they showed no remorse or repentance.
The judge also commended the prosecution team for their diligence and professionalism in handling the case. She said that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in such barbaric practices. She also expressed her sympathy and condolences to the family of the deceased and hoped that they would find closure and peace.
The judgment was greeted with applause and tears by the spectators in the court. Some of them held placards with messages such as “Justice for Favour”, “No to Ritual Killing”, and “Stop Violence Against Women”. The family of the deceased also expressed their satisfaction and gratitude for the verdict. They said that they had been waiting for justice for a long time and that they were happy that their daughter’s killers had been brought to book.
