A court in the United Kingdom has found 28-year-old Congolese national Benjamin Katabana guilty of murdering Nigerian student Uchenna Okirie following a deadly stabbing incident at a shared accommodation in Norwich, England.
The verdict was delivered at Norwich Crown Court after an 11-day trial. The fatal attack took place on November 22, 2025, at Somerleyton House, where both Katabana and Okirie were residents.
According to Norfolk Police, Katabana surrendered himself to authorities shortly after the incident. Investigators said he approached officers and informed them that he believed he had killed someone.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Okirie was using his phone in a communal corridor when Katabana allegedly attacked him with a knife. The Nigerian student suffered a stab wound to the chest and later died despite efforts to save his life.
During the proceedings, Katabana denied the murder charge but admitted to manslaughter, arguing that he had diminished responsibility due to a traumatic childhood in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, jurors rejected the defence and found him guilty of murder.
Police investigators stated that the attack was deliberate and unprovoked. They also alleged that Katabana used WhatsApp messages to lure Okirie into the corridor before carrying out the assault.
Senior Investigating Officer Alix Wright said the conviction marked an important step toward justice for the victim and his family, who continue to mourn the loss of their loved one.
Authorities disclosed that the knife used in the attack has not been recovered. A date for Katabana’s sentencing has not yet been announced.
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