UK court sentences Congolese to life for killing Nigerian

A Congolese man, Benjamin Katabana, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his Nigerian roommate, Uchenna Okirie, in Norwich, United Kingdom. The attack occurred in the communal corridor of their shared accommodation, Somerleyton House, on November 22, 2021, after Katabana lured Okirie with WhatsApp messages.

During the attack, Katabana stabbed Okirie multiple times and kicked him while he lay on the floor. Katabana surrendered to police after activating the building's fire alarm and was subsequently convicted of murder by a jury at Norwich Crown Court. The judge noted that Katabana had a history of violent behavior and had five previous convictions.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's own syndicated text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.