A Tamale High Court has sentenced 20-year-old University for Development Studies (UDS) student Salifu Nkonya Nurudeen to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of fellow student Wumpini Mohammed Zakiu, 19, in a dispute over a romantic relationship. The September 2024 incident rocked the Nyankpala campus.
Nurudeen, a Computer Science student, stabbed Zakiu, a Pharmacy student, in an uncompleted building after Zakiu began dating Nurudeen’s ex-girlfriend. Zakiu’s body was found with multiple wounds, his phone missing. Police traced the phone to Nurudeen, hidden under his bed, and discovered he sent deceptive messages—one to the girlfriend, posing as Zakiu to end their relationship, and another to a friend to deflect suspicion. CCTV footage showed Nurudeen chasing Zakiu into the building.
Judge Charles Acheampong, presiding over the case, emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, leading to a 6-1 guilty verdict for murder and conspiracy. While some reports mentioned a death sentence, most sources confirm life imprisonment. The trial has stirred debate on X, questioning the sentence’s severity.
The tragedy has prompted calls for better conflict resolution programs at universities, as the UDS community mourns Zakiu, whose funeral was held in Tamale on September 30, 2024.
Nurudeen, a Computer Science student, stabbed Zakiu, a Pharmacy student, in an uncompleted building after Zakiu began dating Nurudeen’s ex-girlfriend. Zakiu’s body was found with multiple wounds, his phone missing. Police traced the phone to Nurudeen, hidden under his bed, and discovered he sent deceptive messages—one to the girlfriend, posing as Zakiu to end their relationship, and another to a friend to deflect suspicion. CCTV footage showed Nurudeen chasing Zakiu into the building.
Judge Charles Acheampong, presiding over the case, emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, leading to a 6-1 guilty verdict for murder and conspiracy. While some reports mentioned a death sentence, most sources confirm life imprisonment. The trial has stirred debate on X, questioning the sentence’s severity.
The tragedy has prompted calls for better conflict resolution programs at universities, as the UDS community mourns Zakiu, whose funeral was held in Tamale on September 30, 2024.
