An 18-year-old student of Olunde Community Secondary School, Fawaz Hamzat, has been sentenced to three months of community service by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Hamzat was found guilty of threatening the life of a student from a rival school by chasing him with a cutlass during an inter-school confrontation.

Court Proceedings and Judgment

Magistrate O.O. Latunji delivered the sentence based on Hamzat's guilty plea and evidence presented by the prosecution. While handing down the judgment, Latunji issued a stern warning to the convict to avoid criminal activities in the future or face more severe consequences.

"However, to serve as a deterrent to others, Hamzat is sentenced to three months of community service," Latunji stated.

Details of the Incident

According to Inspector Oluseye Akinola, the prosecuting counsel, the incident occurred on May 22, around 3:00 p.m. at Olunde area of Ibadan, Oyo State. Neighborhood security personnel and community members apprehended Hamzat after spotting him with a cutlass, pursuing students from Olunde Grammar School during an inter-school fight.

The prosecutor noted that the offense contravened Section 249 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 vol. ii law of Oyo State, 2000.

Rising Concerns Over School Rivalries

BenriNews reports that inter-school rivalries involving dangerous weapons are becoming increasingly common, especially among secondary schools in less developed areas of Ibadan. This concerning trend appears to be resurging after decades, raising alarm among education authorities and community leaders.

The case highlights growing concerns about youth violence in educational institutions and the effectiveness of current preventive measures in place to address these issues.