UK Man Sentenced to Life for Murdering Nigerian Roommate

Benjamin Katabana, a 28-year-old man, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his Nigerian roommate, Uchenna Okirie, aged 33. The violent attack occurred on November 22 at Somerleyton House in Norwich, United Kingdom.

Katabana lured Okirie into the communal corridor via WhatsApp messages and attacked him with a knife, initially stabbing him once before continuing the assault and kicking him while he lay on the floor. Okirie was pronounced dead shortly after 6 am, with a post-mortem revealing he died from a stab wound to the chest.

After the murder, Katabana activated the fire alarm and walked to Bethel Street Police Station, where he confessed to killing Okirie. Although he pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, a jury convicted him of murder.

Judge Bate noted Katabana's history of violence and stated that his actions were premeditated, having armed himself with a knife prior to the attack.