An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Ayeni Tunde Kazeem, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of armed robbery against students of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti.

Justice Lekan Olatawura delivered the judgment, holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicting the defendant on a five-count charge of armed robbery.

Kazeem was arraigned on June 16, 2025, in respect of an incident on October 2, 2024, during which he was accused of robbing five students of their mobile phones while armed with a gun.

The stolen Items included an Infinix Smart 7, Itel A04, Infinix Smart 6, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Tecno Pop 8, with a combined value of N680,000.

One of the victims, Adewale Moyinoluwa, told the court that she and her roommates were in their hostel room at about 9:10 p.m. when a man knocked on the door.

She said that after one of the occupants opened the door, the intruder forced his way in, wielding a double-barrelled pistol, and ordered them to surrender their phones.

According to the witness, the occupants initially thought the incident was a prank until the assailant produced cartridges, loaded the firearm and pointed it at them, forcing them to hand over their mobile phones before fleeing the scene.

The prosecution, led by Salem Bade-Gboyega, called seven witnesses and tendered the defendant’s confessional statements, a lemon-green hoodie cardigan, ATM cards and a search warrant as exhibits before the court.

In his defence, Kazeem, represented by his counsel, Amir Salami, did not call any witnesses but pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Delivering judgment, Justice Olatawura said the defendant showed no remorse throughout the trial and added that the law prescribed a strict punishment for the offence of armed robbery.

“I find the defendant guilty on all the charges,” the judge ruled before sentencing him to death by hanging, adding, “You shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.” (The Nation)

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