UK Court Jails Nigerian Rapper, Accomplice For Life Over 2017 Gang Murder
A United Kingdom court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Lekan Akinsoji and his accomplice, Sundjata Keita, both aged 27 and residents of Forest Gate, to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 21-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah during a gang-related attack in east London.
Delivering judgment at the Old Bailey, the court ruled that Akinsoji, a drill rapper, will serve a minimum of 28 years before being eligible for parole, while Keita will serve at least 22 years for their roles in the fatal stabbing.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on April 2, 2017, when the duo, dressed in black with balaclavas and gloves, embarked on a planned “gang ride-out.”
The pair chased Deen-Jah, also known by his street name Grinna, into an off-licence shop near Custom House station, where Akinsoji stabbed him in the heart.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, just a few metres from his home.
Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC told the court that the attack was premeditated and stemmed from ongoing street violence between two rival east London gangs.
“This killing was not a spontaneous act of violence, but an attack planned against a background of street violence,” Orchard stated.
Ten days before the murder, Akinsoji appeared in a drill music video titled Armed and Ready, where he rapped the line, “No face, no case, no evvy (evidence),” which prosecutors described as a chilling reflection of his violent mindset.
The victim’s father, Abubakar Jah, who moved to the UK from Sierra Leone in 1995, said the family had been devastated by the tragedy.
“Four years after this, having had no justice in Ahmed’s case, my younger son Junior was also murdered in April 2021. Losing both of my sons has caused the most unbearable hurt and pain,” he said.
Ahmed’s mother, Hawa Deen Conteh, described the killing as a “senseless act of violence” that changed their lives forever. “We hope no other family has to experience the heartache and suffering that we have endured,” she added.
During the trial, Keita declined to give evidence, maintaining silence throughout the proceedings.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
