UDS Student Sentenced to Death for Murder of Fellow Student Over Romantic Dispute
A disturbing case of campus violence has come to a tragic end as Salifu Nurudeen, a Computer Science student at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala campus, has been sentenced to death by the Tamale High Court for the murder of fellow student, Wumpini Mohammed Zakiu.
The incident, which occurred in September 2024, was rooted in a romantic rivalry. Investigations revealed that Nurudeen became enraged after his girlfriend, also a student at UDS, ended their relationship and began dating Wumpini.
On September 25, Wumpini was found dead with multiple stab wounds, sparking fear and sorrow on the Nyankpala campus. His phone, which was missing from the crime scene, later became a crucial piece of evidence.
The Ghana Police Service’s cybercrime unit traced the stolen phone to Nurudeen’s residence, where it was discovered hidden under his bed. Further digital forensic analysis revealed that Nurudeen had used Wumpini’s phone to send deceptive text messages—one breaking up with the girlfriend, and another message sent to a friend of the victim.
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Nurudeen was arrested after being lured to the Jubilee Park in Tamale. During interrogation, he admitted to sending the text messages but denied involvement in the murder itself.
However, the court found the evidence against him overwhelming. The presiding judge cited the combination of digital footprints, motive, and possession of the victim’s phone as sufficient grounds for conviction. Nurudeen was subsequently found guilty and handed the maximum sentence under Ghanaian law—death by hanging.
The ruling has drawn attention to the growing concerns about campus safety and the emotional well-being of students. The University for Development Studies has yet to issue an official statement but is expected to enhance security measures and provide counselling support to students affected by the tragedy.
This case serves as a grim reminder of how unresolved emotional conflicts and violence can lead to irreversible consequences, cutting short promising young lives and leaving communities shattered.
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