Congolese arrested for stabbing Nigerian to death in UK

A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, was on Tuesday arraigned before the Norwich Crown Court for allegedly stabbing a Nigerian, identified as Ucheena Okirie, described as a former postgraduate student at the University of East Anglia, to death at a residential accommodation housing both students and professionals.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Katabana has been charged with murder and is expected to appear before the Norwich Magistrates’ Court.
According to the Eastern Daily Press, police were called to Somerleyton House, off Unthank Road, at about 5:22am on November 22, following reports that a man had suffered a suspected stab wound.

A murder investigation was subsequently launched after Okirie, believed to be in his 30s, died from a single stab wound to the chest.

The report stated, “Katabana, a Congolese national, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday after being charged with murder.

“The 27-year-old of Somerleyton Street, Norwich, wore a greenish top when he appeared at court via videolink from Norwich Prison.”

The report stated that a potential May 18 trial date has been pencilled in, with proceedings expected to last between five and seven days, presided over by Judge Alice Robinson.

The report added that Katabana spoke only to confirm his personal details during the brief court session.

Speaking after an earlier appearance at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Katabana’s father, Fabrice, recounted the family’s journey to the UK.

He was quoted as having said they arrived in 2010, when Benjamin was 10 years old, after fleeing the Goma region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the UK’s Gateway Protection Programme, a government initiative that provided a legal resettlement route for up to 750 refugees annually.

The report noted, “Goma has been a central flashpoint in a prolonged conflict, most notably involving the M23 rebel group, with fighting creating one of the world’s deadliest humanitarian crises.”

Following the incident, the report disclosed that the police cordoned off the area, and occupants of Somerleyton House—where students and working professionals reside—were temporarily evacuated as forensic investigations began.

A spokesperson for the University of East Anglia was quoted as having said, “Checks of our student records identified a handful of current UEA students residing at Somerleyton House.

“The university has reached out to each of them and will ensure they receive all the support they need. We remain committed to supporting all affected students during this difficult time.”

Okirie’s death comes amid two other recent tragedies involving Nigerians abroad: one found dead in a truck in the United States and another discovered in an apartment in the United Kingdom, both reported by PUNCH Metro last week.