Armed Robber Gets Death by Hanging for Attacking Ekiti University Students

A High Court in Ekiti State, located in Ado-Ekiti, has condemned a 37-year-old individual identified as Tunde Kazeem to death by hanging. The verdict, delivered by Justice Lekan Olatawura on Monday, July 27, 2026, followed Kazeem's conviction on a five-count charge related to armed robbery. His arraignment took place on June 16, 2025, in connection with an incident that transpired on October 2, 2024, at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) in Ikere-Ekiti.

The charges detailed how Kazeem dispossessed five students—Adewale Moyinoluwa, Ogunbolude Oluwanifemi, Ojo Oluwamayowa, Sidiq Simbiat, and Oloruntoba Nifemi—of their mobile phones, collectively valued at N680,000. The stolen devices were specified as an Infinix Smart 7, an Itel A04, an Infinix Smart 6, a Samsung Galaxy S6, and a Tecno Pop 8. Prosecutors asserted that Kazeem perpetrated the robbery wielding a firearm, an act in violation of Section 312(2)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

During her testimony, Adewale Moyinoluwa, one of the victims, vividly described the events of that night. She narrated, "My roommates and I were in our room around 9:10 p.m. when we heard a knock on the door. One of us went to open it and immediately, a man wearing a lemon shirt and blue denim shorts entered. He was holding a double-barrel pistol. He ordered us to submit our phones. We thought it was a joke until he dipped his hand into his pocket, brought out cartridges and started loading the gun. He then pointed it at us. We submitted all our phones and he packed them. He told us to lock the door behind him and not to shout. But when he left, we started shouting."

The prosecution, led by counsel Salem Bade-Gboyega, presented its case by calling seven witnesses and submitting various exhibits. These included Kazeem's confessional statements, a lemon-green hoodie cardigan, ATM cards, and a search warrant. In his defence, Kazeem testified through his legal representative, Amir Salami, opting not to call any witnesses but instead appealing to the court for leniency.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Olatawura underscored that the law provides no room for clemency in instances of armed robbery. He stated, "I am unable to exercise any discretion in favour of a defendant who showed no remorse throughout his trial. The punishment for armed robbery is one of strict application. Consequent upon the foregoing, I find the defendant guilty on all counts. Accordingly, the sentence of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul," Justice Olatawura declared.