Nigerian Man Jailed for Life for Murder of Ex-Girlfriend, 23-Year-Old Student.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline | February 9, 2026.
A 40-year-old Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old university student Stephanie Irons.
The court heard that Adegbola became dangerously obsessed after Stephanie ended their relationship and could not accept her decision to move on. In October last year, he followed her to her residence and gained access to her flat when she briefly stepped outside.
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Once inside, Adegbola attacked Stephanie, stabbing her in the neck. She died at the scene from the fatal injury.
In a chilling aftermath, the court was told that Adegbola remained in the apartment, sat near her lifeless body, and used her mobile phone to send misleading and inappropriate messages to her friends and colleagues in an apparent attempt to damage her reputation.
He later attempted to clean the murder weapon, disposed of some of her belongings, and left the scene before turning himself in to authorities the following day. Stephanie’s body was discovered after concerned colleagues, alarmed by unusual messages sent from her phone, went to check on her welfare.
During sentencing, Stephanie’s parents described her as kind, intelligent, and full of promise, saying her death has devastated their family and stolen a future filled with hope.
The judge ruled that the killing was premeditated and driven by obsession, stressing that Adegbola deliberately ended the life of a young woman whose only wish was to live freely.
The case has reignited national conversations about domestic violence, obsessive behavior, and the tragic consequences of refusing to accept rejection.
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(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 9TH 2026)
