Man Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Ekiti Varsity Hostel robbery

An Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Tunde Kazeem, to death after finding him guilty of robbing students at gunpoint in a university hostel.

Justice Lekan Olatawura delivered the judgment on Monday, holding that the prosecution established the armed robbery charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

The incident occurred on October 2, 2024, at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, where Kazeem reportedly invaded a students’ residence and carted away five mobile phones valued at abou ₦680,000.

The prosecution, led by Salem Bade-Gboyega, told the court that the convict carried out the operation with a firearm, an offence punishable under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

During the trial, seven witnesses testified while several exhibits, including the suspect’s confessional statements, clothing allegedly worn during the robbery, ATM cards and a search warrant, were admitted in evidence.

One of the victims, Adewale Moyinoluwa, recounted that the assailant forced his way into their room after one of the occupants opened the door in response to a knock.

She said, “He pointed a double-barrel gun at us and demanded our phones. When we hesitated because we thought he was joking, he brought out cartridges and loaded the gun before our eyes. We surrendered our phones, and after he left, we immediately raised the alarm.”

The convict, who testified in his own defence through his lawyer, Amir Salami, denied the allegations and pleaded for leniency. However, he did not call any witness to support his case.

In the judgment, Justice Olatawura ruled that the evidence before the court clearly established the defendant’s guilt and that the law prescribed only one punishment for the offence.

The judge consequently sentenced Kazeem to death by hanging, saying the court had no discretion to impose a lesser penalty