Court sentences man to d@ath for robbing Ekiti varsity students

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An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Tunde Kazeem, to d3ath by hanging for armed robbery.

 

Justice Lekan Olatawura handed down the sentence on Monday, July 27, 2026 after finding the defendant guilty on a five-count charge of armed robbery.

 

Kazeem was arraigned on June 16, 2025, over an attack that occurred on October 2, 2024, at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI).

 

According to the charge, the defendant robbed five students — Adewale Moyinoluwa, Ogunbolude Oluwanifemi, Ojo Oluwamayowa, Sidiq Simbiat, and Oloruntoba Nifemi — of phones valued at N680,000. 

 

The stolen phones included an Infinix Smart 7, an Itel A04, an Infinix Smart 6, a Samsung Galaxy S6, and a Tecno Pop 8.

 

The prosecution said Kazeem carried out the robbery while armed with a gun, an offence contrary to Section 312(2)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

 

Testifying before the court, victim Adewale Moyinoluwa recounted the night of the incident.

 

“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,” she added.

 

To prove its case, the prosecution counsel, Salem Bade-Gboyega, called seven witnesses and tendered exhibits, including the defendant’s confessional statements, a lemon-green hoodie cardigan, ATM cards, and a search warrant.

 

The defendant testified in his own defence through his counsel, Amir Salami. He called no witnesses but pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

 

In his judgment, Justice Olatawura said the law left no room for leniency in cases of armed robbery.

 

“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 pronounced.