Congolese Man Gets Life Sentence For Killing Nigerian Roommate In UK

A 28-year-old Congolese man, Benjamin Katabana, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his Nigerian roommate, 33-year-old Uchenna Okirie, in Norwich, United Kingdom.

Katabana was convicted of murdering Okirie, a former economics student of the University of East Anglia, after luring him into the communal corridor of their shared accommodation with WhatsApp messages.

According to the BBC, the incident occurred at Somerleyton House on November 22, when Okirie, popularly known as Uche, was using his phone before Katabana attacked him with a knife.

Norfolk Constabulary said Katabana initially stabbed Okirie before repeatedly attacking him and kicking him in the head as he lay on the floor.

Okirie was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6am. A post-mortem examination established that he died from a stab wound to the chest.

Following the killing, Katabana activated the building’s fire alarm before walking to Bethel Street Police Station, where he surrendered to the police.

He reportedly told officers, “I have killed someone, I think.”

The murder weapon was never recovered, while Katabana repeatedly responded “no comment” during police interviews.

At Norwich Crown Court, Katabana initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. However, he was later convicted of murder by a jury.

During sentencing, Judge Bate noted that Katabana had five previous convictions for seven offences, including an earlier incident in which he kicked a person in the head while they were lying on the floor.

“You act impulsively and resolve issues through violence,” the judge told him.

Katabana’s defence argued that his actions were linked to a traumatic upbringing in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, the court heard that he had armed himself with a knife before contacting Okirie and luring him into the communal corridor.

Senior Investigating Officer Alix Wright described the killing as “a violent and unprovoked attack,” adding that Katabana deliberately lured Okirie into the corridor after arming himself.

Katabana will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison before he can be considered for release.