A man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 24 years for fatally stabbing his business associate outside the associate’s home in New Cross, south London. Ben Wazabanga, 24, committed the murder following a dispute over money invested in a car rental business with the victim, Ayowale Aladejana, 26. Wazabanga, accompanied by his partner, armed himself with a hunting knife and travelled from Bedford to south London to confront Aladejana. The incident, which resulted in Aladejana’s death, occurred in the presence of two small children who were in the car during the confrontation.
Wazabanga, who had a history of carrying a knife, claimed self-defense but was found guilty of murder by a jury. His partner, Ronique Belfon, was cleared of murder charges after stating she was unaware of Wazabanga’s intentions.
During the trial, evidence revealed the escalating tensions between Wazabanga, Belfon, and Aladejana over financial matters related to the business. Prosecutors highlighted Wazabanga’s previous convictions related to knife possession and aggressive behavior.
Wazabanga, expressing remorse in a letter to the judge, acknowledged the impact of his actions on the victim’s family and stated his commitment to personal growth. The judge emphasized the dangers of carrying knives and condemned the prevalence of knife crime in the UK.