Crime and Investigation
Tamale Court Sentences 21-Year-Old to Life in Prison for Gruesome Murder of UDS Student
Justice has finally been served in the tragic case of Mohammed Zakiu Wunpini, the 19-year-old pharmacy student at the University for Development Studies (UDS) who was murdered in cold blood in September 2024.
On Friday, the Tamale High Court sentenced 21-year-old Salifu Nurudeen, also known as Nko-nya, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of the premeditated murder of Zakiu. The sentencing brings closure to a case that shocked the UDS campus and the entire nation.
The Backstory
At the time of the incident, rumours spread quickly that Zakiu had been killed on the orders of his ex-girlfriend. However, detailed investigations and court proceedings have since debunked those claims.
Court documents and testimonies revealed that the motive for the murder stemmed from a failed relationship and jealousy. Nurudeen, it emerged, was previously dating the same girl who later became romantically involved with Zakiu. Enraged by this development, Nurudeen plotted revenge.
A Sinister Plot Unfolds
According to the prosecution, Nurudeen went to disturbing lengths to execute his plan. He created a fake Snapchat account impersonating a female acquaintance and began chatting with Zakiu, luring him under the guise of a friendly meetup.
The trap was set for September 25, 2024. Zakiu, unaware of the danger, agreed to meet the ‘Snapchat friend’ near the UDS campus — at an uncompleted building between Citadel and Kumbung Hostels. That night, he was brutally stabbed to death.
The Breakthrough
Investigators were able to track Nurudeen through Zakiu’s missing phone, which he had taken after the murder. When police found him hiding in Nyankpala, the victim’s phone was recovered in his possession.
Nurudeen confessed to using Zakiu’s SIM card after the murder to send misleading messages. He impersonated Zakiu in texts to his girlfriend and close friends, attempting to frame her by suggesting she was involved in a breakup that turned deadly.
However, his digital trail and contradictory statements unraveled the truth — exposing his elaborate attempt to mislead authorities.
The Verdict
Despite pleading not guilty and blaming others, including the girl, throughout the trial, the court found Nurudeen’s actions to be calculated and malicious. Prosecutors stated that if Nurudeen had admitted guilt early on and cooperated with investigators, the charge may have been reduced to manslaughter. His repeated efforts to shift blame ultimately contributed to his life sentence.
The girl at the center of the rumors has been cleared of any wrongdoing, as the investigation found no evidence linking her to the crime.
A Campus in Mourning
Zakiu Wunpini was preparing to enter his third year of pharmacy studies at UDS before his life was cut short. His death sent shockwaves across campus, where he was known as a promising and hardworking student.
With the court’s ruling, Zakiu’s family and the UDS community may finally begin the long process of healing.
Photo caption: The late Mohammed Zakiu Wunpini, whose life and dreams were tragically cut short.

Crime and Investigation
Volta Regional Police Destroy Six Hundred Sacks of Narcotics in Ho
The Volta Regional Police Command has destroyed six hundred sacks of narcotic drugs, specifically Indian hemp, in Ho after receiving a court order to dispose of the long standing exhibits.
The exercise took place on Monday, November 17, 2025 at about 14:30. The sacks contained fertilizer bags filled with dried cannabis. These items were seized by police in 2022 during the case of the Republic versus Yao Kwadow of Wallako and two others. After the trial, the court instructed that the drugs be destroyed.
According to the Command, the exhibits weighed forty seven thousand five hundred and thirty kilograms, with an estimated street value of about 4.2 billion Ghana cedis.
The Ho Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Felix Datsomor, granted the order that allowed the destruction. The process was supervised by key officials including Moses Dzantti, Circuit Court Registrar; Mrs Joseph Oposumah, State Attorney; Mr John Pekyi from the Narcotics Control Commission; and Mr Emmanuel Mensah Gboriby of the Environmental Protection Authority.
The burning, which was carried out under strict police and national security supervision, began around 22:30 at Klefe dumping site in Ho.
The Volta Regional Police Command expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued support in the fight against drug related crimes.

Crime and Investigation
Ofankor man arrested after viral video shows him assaulting wife
Ofankor man arrested after viral video shows him assaulting wife
Police have picked up a man seen in a viral Facebook video assaulting a woman believed to be his wife at their home in Ofankor, Ga East Municipality.
The suspect, John Odartey Lamptey, was arrested on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the family residence. This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.
During the operation, two of his siblings, Grace Kushie Lamptey and Louis Odartey Lamptey, were also taken into custody. They had reportedly tried to attack a female tenant they suspected of filming and sharing the video. Police intervened and safely removed the tenant from the house.
According to the statement, officers are still searching for the wife, who fled before police arrived, to ensure her safety.
The Police Service stressed that it remains committed to safeguarding victims of domestic abuse and ensuring that offenders are held accountable under the law.
Crime and Investigation
EOCO Breaks Up Cybercrime and Trafficking Ring in Mataheko-Afienya, Rescues Seven Nigerians
The Economic and Organised Crime Office has broken up a major cyber fraud and human trafficking operation in the Mataheko-Afienya area, leading to the rescue of seven Nigerian nationals who were reportedly trafficked into the country and forced into online fraud.
The raid, carried out on Friday, November 14, 2025, was part of an operation known as Operation LIFELINE. Ten people were arrested in total, including three suspects believed to be running the scheme and seven victims aged between 17 and 30. All of them are Nigerian nationals.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 17, EOCO explained that the victims were enticed to Ghana with promises of genuine job opportunities. When they arrived, they were instead subjected to harsh conditions and forced to take part in cyber fraud schemes and other illegal online activities. Investigators say the setup shows how closely human trafficking and cybercrime can be linked.
The rescued individuals are now receiving care and support as officials work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s network.
EOCO used the announcement to remind the public to stay alert and report any suspicious cybercrime or trafficking activities through their hotlines. The office also urged landlords and property owners to properly screen tenants, particularly foreign nationals, so they do not unknowingly rent out spaces to criminal groups.
The agency stressed that it remains committed to tracking down and prosecuting offenders, warning anyone involved in such acts to stop immediately.
The success of Operation LIFELINE signals the determination of Ghana’s security agencies to confront cross-border crime and protect vulnerable people from exploitation.

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