Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigerians on social media have expressed widespread shock and condemnation following the sentencing of a 27-year-old Nigerian student, Qudus Ajeyemi, to five and a half years in prison by a United Kingdom court for attempted rape and sexual assault. The verdict, which was delivered on Monday, June 15, 2026, and widely reported on June 17 and 18, has ignited a firestorm of reactions, with many users expressing both outrage at the crime and disappointment that a Nigerian national could commit such an act abroad.
Ajeyemi, who was in the UK on a student visa and lived on May Street in Hull, was known by the nickname "Spartan". He was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault following a six-day trial at Hull Crown Court that concluded on May 26, 2026. The court heard that the incident occurred in early 2023 after the victim, who had been on a night out in Hull city centre, returned to a house on Tavistock Street. After consuming alcohol and feeling unwell, she was taken upstairs by Ajeyemi, who had offered her a place to rest. Prosecuting, Charlotte Baines told the court: “Spartan led her upstairs and she lay down on the bed. She thought that he would leave her there to have a sleep. Within a few seconds, Spartan was touching her. She pushed him off and told him: ‘I’m not here for that.’ Her response did not deter Spartan and he touched her again”.
The woman repeatedly told him to stop and could see that Ajeyemi had undressed. She grabbed him to try to stop him, but he pushed her off the bed. The woman then fled downstairs in distress. Following the incident, Ajeyemi contacted the victim via FaceTime, admitted what he had done, and repeatedly apologised, later sending additional messages asking for forgiveness. The victim preserved records of these conversations and handed them to police in March 2023, leading to an investigation by Humberside Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit.
In addition to his prison term, Ajeyemi will be deported to Nigeria after completing his sentence. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and handed a seven-year restraining order. Detective Sergeant Ethan Anderson, who led the investigation, commended the victim for her courage. He said: "Ajeyemi preyed on the woman, taking advantage of her and attempted to rape her in a space she ought to have been safe in, around friends. The trauma and emotional damage he caused will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life".
The case has prompted widespread debate on social media, with many Nigerians questioning how a student on a visa could commit such a crime and calling for stricter monitoring of Nigerians abroad. Others have expressed sympathy for the victim and praised the UK justice system for its thorough handling of the case. The conviction comes amid continued efforts by UK authorities to tackle sexual violence and protect vulnerable persons.
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