A 28-year-old man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years for murdering former University of East Anglia postgraduate student Uchenna Okirie during a brutal knife attack at a Norwich accommodation block. Benjamin Katabana stabbed 33-year-old Mr Okirie in the back in the corridor of Somerleyton House, in Norwich’s Golden Triangle, following a dispute over money. Katabana, who came to Britain as a child refugee from conflict-torn Congo, admitted manslaughter but denied murder. However, a jury at Norwich Crown Court took fewer than six hours to find him guilty of murder. Sentencing him on Friday, Judge Anthony Bate imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years, describing the killing as a “wicked act of violence” which cut short the life of a “much loved and talented brother and son”.
Victim lured from flat before fatal attack
The court heard Katabana had sent provocative WhatsApp messages which led Mr Okirie to leave his flat and enter the corridor. CCTV captured what happened next. Katabana stabbed Mr Okirie in the back before carrying out a sustained assault and kicking him in the head as he lay seriously wounded. The judge said Mr Okirie had been “taken by surprise and quickly overwhelmed in this brutal attack”. The fatal knife wound penetrated his aorta. Although the court could not establish whether Katabana had brought the knife with him, Judge Bate said it was “plain” that he intended to kill Mr Okirie. Emergency services were called to Somerleyton House at around 5.31am on November 22 after residents discovered Mr Okirie collapsed in a hallway. An air ambulance doctor attended, but despite attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Killer called police and said: ‘I’ve killed someone’
Katabana fled the building following the attack while wearing a blood-stained yellow hoodie. He subsequently discarded the clothing and the knife. Shortly before 6am, Katabana telephoned police and told them: “I’ve killed someone, I think.” He was arrested soon afterwards and gave no comment during police interviews.
Family describe ‘unimaginable void’
Mr Okirie was originally from Nigeria and was affectionately known as “Common Man” because of his ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. He completed a master’s degree in Development Economics at the University of East Anglia in 2022. His sisters, Esther and Tina, joined the sentencing hearing remotely from Nigeria. In a victim impact statement, his family described him as a “remarkable young man” with “warmth, patience and an infectious sense of optimism”. They said his killing had left an “unimaginable void” in their lives. A fundraising appeal established to help return Mr Okirie’s body to Nigeria raised more than £1,864, with a tribute describing him as “steady, genuine, and deeply compassionate”.
Katabana arrived in UK as a child refugee
The court heard Katabana came to Britain as a child after fleeing Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region affected by years of conflict. He arrived through the Gateway Protection Programme, settled in Norwich and completed his education locally. He was also described as an accomplished basketball player. The hearing was told of allegations concerning Katabana’s behaviour while in custody, including an alleged assault on prison officers in July. His barrister, Stephen Rose KC, argued that uncharged allegations should not influence his sentence and said Katabana had raised grievances about his treatment in custody which he intended to pursue through a formal complaint.
‘Uche did not deserve to lose his life’
Detective Inspector Alix Wright, the senior investigating officer, said:
“Uche came to the UK seeking a better life. He did not deserve to lose his life in such a violent and unprovoked attack. While nothing can ever make up for his death, we hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice for his family.”
Katabana will have to serve at least 20 years in custody before he can be considered for release on licence. A minimum term does not guarantee release at that point.
Originally published by UKNIP.
