A UK court has remanded a 32-year-old man, Maxwell Oguanaya, in custody over the alleged murder of a 41-year-old Nigerian, Taiwo Ekerin, after an assault in Lewisham, London.
This was in a statement by the Metropolitan Police acquired by our correspondent yesterday.
The PUNCH says that police said Oguanaya was charged with murder after Ekerin died from injuries sustained in a fight.
Officers were summoned to Lewisham High Street at around 4.40am on May 24 after allegations of an altercation, the statement said.
Ekerin later died from his injuries and was proclaimed dead on May 30, the police said.
The statement added: “Police were called to Lewisham High Street at around 04:40hrs on Sunday, 24 May following reports of an altercation.
“Police and ambulance attended and found a 41-year-old male with a serious head injury. Colleagues from the London Ambulance Service treated him at the spot and he was taken to hospital. Sadly he was proclaimed dead on Saturday 30th May.
We can now mention Taiwo Ekerin. His next of kin are being supported by professional officers.
The 32-year-old, of Eastfield Road, Enfield, was detained on suspicion of murder on June 4 and charged the next day, the Metropolitan Police said.
Oguanaya appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on June 5 when he was remanded in custody to appear again.
He is due to appear in court again on June 9, police added.
“Maxwell Oguanaya, 32 (21.07.1993), of Eastfield Road, Enfield was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, 4 June.
He was charged on Friday June 5 and appeared at Ealing Magistrates Court on that day. Police added: “He was remanded in custody to appear again on Tuesday, June 9.
A second guy, aged 34, was arrested on suspicion of murder on June 5 and is in police custody as investigations continue, the statement said.
The police have not yet revealed the facts that led to the incident that culminated in Ekerin’s death.
Meanwhile, Taiwo’s brother, Kehinde Ekerin, said he was killed in an unprovoked attack while out for the evening.
In a GoFundMe appeal, Ekerin claimed the family was appealing to the public to help with funeral expenditures.
It is with great grief and heartbreak that we report the death of our dear Taiwo Ekerin who tragically lost his life following an unjustified attack on a night out.
Ekerin was born on December 25, 1984 and was a much-loved father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He shared a special link with his twin brother and his loss has left an immeasurable vacuum in the lives of all who knew and loved him.
“Most importantly, Taiwo was a dedicated father to his daughter who now has to face the future without her dad. He was recognised for his warmth, friendliness, sense of humour and the love he showed so freely to everybody around him. Our family is trying to come to terms with this horrible event, his life was taken way too soon.
“As we prepare to lay Taiwo to rest we are seeking support towards funeral expenses and to give him the dignified farewell he deserves. Any donation, however little, would help relieve the financial load on the family at this incredibly difficult time, the appeal read.
To date, £3,710 has been raised towards the £10,000 aim.
Earlier on Friday, it was announced that a 28-year-old Congolese man, Benjamin Katabana, had been convicted of the murder of a Nigerian student studying in the UK, Uchenna Okirie, after a fatal stabbing at a shared residence in Norwich, England.
Following an 11-day trial at Norwich Crown Court, a jury found Katabana guilty on Wednesday.
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