Relationship Drama Ends in Death: UDS Student Gets Death Penalty
Tamale, Ghana – 31 July, 2025 – A Tamale High Court has handed down a death sentence to Salifu Nurudeen, a Computer Science student at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala campus, for the murder of his fellow student, Wumpini Mohammed Zakiu. The crime was committed in September 2024 and was rooted in a romantic relationship dispute.
Nurudeen's girlfriend, also a UDS student, had ended their relationship and begun dating Zakiu, which led to Nurudeen's alleged violent outburst. Zakiu's body was discovered with multiple stab wounds on September 25, 2024, and his phone was missing. Investigations revealed that Nurudeen had sent messages from Zakiu's phone, attempting to mislead others about the circumstances of the crime.
The police cybercrime unit tracked Zakiu's phone to Nurudeen's location, where it was found hidden under his bed. Nurudeen was arrested after being lured to Jubilee Park and admitted to sending text messages from Zakiu's phone but denied committing the murder. Despite his denial, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of murder.
The Tamale High Court sentenced Nurudeen to death, bringing closure to a tragic incident that shocked the UDS community. This case highlights the potential consequences of unchecked emotions and violent behavior in relationship disputes.
