Why is Ikemefuna killed?

Ikemefuna was given up as a sacrifice by the Mbaino after a Umofian girl was killed. He had committed no crime, but he was in fact held by the Umofians because of a crime that was committed by one of his tribesmen.

Ikemefuna lived with Okonkwo's family for three years before he was executed. He actually became a well loved part of the family before the elders of the community ordered his death. The one thing we don't know is why the oracle ordered Ikemefuna's execution, except that his death was in fact a part of religious ritual. The oracle's orders were law. No matter how much the boy was loved, his fate was sealed.