Nigerian Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Irish Prison for Violent Student Robbery
A 22-year-old Nigerian man has been handed a nine-year prison sentence in Ireland after being found guilty of subjecting two students to a harrowing, hour-long ordeal. Martin Ekhosuehi, residing at Willow Gardens, Glanmire, Co Cork, was convicted on multiple charges including aggravated burglary, assault causing harm, and making threats to kill.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
The crime occurred on July 2nd, 2023, at a rented student accommodation on Highfield Avenue, College Road, in Cork. Ekhosuehi and an accomplice forcibly entered the property, dressed in black tracksuits and wearing masks to conceal their identities. One intruder was armed with a large chef's knife, while the other carried a flathead screwdriver.
During the robbery, the students were held at knifepoint and punched in the head. The assailants ransacked the house, demanding cash and drugs. In a particularly chilling moment, one of the robbers threatened, "I will start cutting off fingers, on my mother's life, if I don't start finding something soon." The intruders ultimately stole €30 in cash and the students' phones before fleeing through the backdoor.
Investigation and Evidence
Investigating officer Detective Garda Eoghain O'Callaghan provided detailed testimony in court. He explained that one of the victims was on a phone call with his girlfriend in Drogheda when the raid began. The girlfriend, alarmed by background noises and the abrupt end of the call, alerted the gardaí.
When officers arrived and announced their presence by shouting through the letterbox, Ekhosuehi and his accomplice warned the students they would be killed if they responded. After the intruders left, gardaí found the students visibly shaken and with facial cuts.
Forensic evidence played a crucial role in the case. A glove left behind at the scene was examined and found to contain a fingerprint matching Martin Ekhosuehi. Additionally, he was identified as a suspect by two gardaí who reviewed CCTV footage.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, a jury found Ekhosuehi guilty on all counts. On Wednesday, March 5, 2026, Judge Sinead Behan sentenced him to 11 years in jail, with the final two years suspended, resulting in a nine-year effective sentence.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Behan noted that Ekhosuehi had planned and premeditated the crime, using disguises to hide his identity. She stated, "The hour must have felt like an eternity. I have not had any indication of remorse or empathy with the victims." The judge acknowledged limited mitigating factors, including Ekhosuehi's youth and supportive family, but emphasized the severity of the aggravated burglary, which merited a headline sentence of 12 years before reduction.
Criminal History and Impact
The court heard that Ekhosuehi had 14 previous convictions, including offenses related to drug use, drug dealing, money laundering, possession of knives, and production of an article in a dispute. This history underscored the seriousness of his actions in the student robbery case.
Both victims described being repeatedly threatened with death during the ordeal, leaving them in fear for their safety. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime and its impact on student communities in Ireland.
