Congolese Man Found Guilty of Murdering Nigerian Student

Benjamin Katabana, a 28-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was found guilty of the murder of Uchenna Okiri, a Nigerian student based in the UK, by a jury at Norwich Crown Court on November 11, 2025. The incident occurred on November 22, 2022, when police responded to reports of a stabbing at Somerleyton House on Unthank Road.

Despite emergency efforts, Okiri was pronounced dead at 6:01 AM after suffering a single stab wound to the chest. The investigation revealed that Katabana had allegedly lured Okiri into the corridor under the pretense of a meeting, armed with a knife.

CCTV footage captured the attack, showing Katabana delivering multiple stabs to Okiri. Katabana denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, a claim the jury rejected.

The murder weapon was recovered, and Katabana did not comment during police interviews. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled, while a fundraising campaign for Okiri's repatriation and burial has been initiated by the Nigerian community in Norwich.