Deptford rapper DigDat, real name Nathan Tokosi, has been accused of involvement in a drive-by shooting in Notting Hill that left a man with severe injuries.
Shooting in Notting Hill
The victim, Daniel Offei-Ntow, 27, was shot multiple times as he sat in his Mitsubishi Outlander on November 20, 2023. Prosecutors told the Old Bailey that at least six shots were fired from a stolen Audi, hitting Mr Offei-Ntow in the head, mouth, and body.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Mr Offei-Ntow survived, with the court hearing he was “lucky not to die”.
When firearms officers arrived at the scene, they found the Mitsubishi riddled with bullet holes and the interior covered in blood. A police dog search later recovered a latex glove, a firearm, and three rounds of ammunition near where the stolen Audi was abandoned.
DNA Evidence Links DigDat to the Shooting
Prosecutor Kate Bex KC told jurors that Tokosi’s DNA was found on the headrest of the Audi, along with DNA allegedly belonging to his close friend and fellow rapper, Kamal Benjamin, known as Wesson.
Further investigation revealed that Tokosi had borrowed a BMW to make two trips from Deptford to Notting Hill on consecutive nights before the shooting.
Prosecutors argue that the BMW’s presence at the same location as the Audi supports the allegation that Tokosi was directly involved in the shooting.
Friend’s Alibi Raises Questions
Prosecutors initially linked Mr Benjamin to the shooting based on his DNA in the stolen Audi. However, social media evidence suggested he had left the UK before the shooting took place.
Jurors were shown Instagram posts indicating Mr Benjamin had been in Dubai at the time. One video showed rapper Lil Durk performing in Dubai four days before the shooting, while another post from December 21, 2023, placed him in a nightclub with 50 Cent, who had also performed in Dubai.
Ms Bex stated that there were only two possible explanations:
- Mr Benjamin never left the UK, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
- His DNA was transferred into the stolen Audi by someone with whom he had been in close contact.
Prosecution: “Very Close Friends”
The court heard that Tokosi and Benjamin were very close, frequently messaging each other on Snapchat and Instagram.
On November 6, 2023, two weeks before the shooting, Tokosi allegedly sent Mr Benjamin a photo of them both sitting in a Lamborghini, captioned “My N**”** with a heart emoji.
Ms Bex added:
“There is no doubt that this defendant Nathan Tokosi and Mr Benjamin not only know each other but are in fact very good friends. The messages exchanged between them make that clear.”
Charges Against Tokosi
Tokosi, 25, of Deptford, denies all charges, which include:
- Attempted murder
- Causing grievous bodily harm with intent
- Possessing a self-loading pistol and ammunition (on November 20, 2023)
- Possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition (on the date of his arrest, February 16, 2024)
Trial Ongoing
The Old Bailey trial continues, with the jury expected to hear more evidence in the coming weeks.
