Two Nigerian teenagers, one other jailed for their part in the killing of Nigerian fitness trainer, Michael Adegbite
On Thursday, February 4, 2016, the Old Bailey court heard how Mr
Adegbite had been lured by the three teenagers, Christopher Nzeh,
Montel Ajayi and Isaac Owen-Brady, so they could steal the computer.
Thre three were found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
Christopher Nzeh, 18, of Hitchin, was sentenced to 21-and-a-half years
in prison after he was found guilty of manslaughter and previously
admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a bladed
article.
Isacc Owen-Brady, 18, of Enfield, was jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty of possession of the knife that killed Mr Adegbite. He also pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article at a previous hearing in relation to a separate offence.
Montel Ajayi, 19, of Waltham Cross, was jailed for five years for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Adegbite arranged to meet the men after a friend advertised his Apple
MacBook for sale on an internet site. An agreement to make the sale was
reached to meet in Auckland Close, Enfield. Adegbite and a friend drove
to the meeting and were approached by the teenagers who identified
themselves as the buyers.
The laptop was shown to the men and passed around between them but one
of them produced a knife and threatened Adegbite and his friend.
Adegbite managed to snatch the MacBook.
Adegbite phoned a friend who lived nearby to tell him what happened and
he came to meet them at the car carrying a metal bar and a hammer. The
three men then drove around looking for the men who tried to rob them
and found them about a mile away in Lackmore Road, Enfield. Adegbite got
out of the car armed with the iron bar. Witnesses described seeing
Nzeh swing at Michael with a knife and miss before a second attempt
struck him on the chest. He fell to the ground and died despite
desperate attempts by medics called to the scene Despite extensive
efforts by the attending medics, they were unable to save him.
The three suspects were later arrested. The knife used to kill Mr
Adegbite was found hidden in a garden through a small hole in the fence
in a deliberate act to conceal it. All three were questioned but
refused to answer questions about the crime. However, a thorough
investigation by detectives fro the Met's Homicide and Major Crime
Command linked them to the crime with forensic and witness evidence.
Michael Adegbite’s family issued a warning to those who arm themselves
with knives and asked them to consider the consequences of doing so.
"Michael's family and friends have been shattered by the decision of Christopher Nzeh to carry a knife," they said.
"Michael had never been in trouble with the police and was a young man who had everything to live for.
"We urge people to think about the tragic consequences that can come from carrying a knife, and never to take your personal safety for granted.
"If just one person decided to stop carrying a knife, it would be a fitting tribute to Michael and everything he stood for."
Detective Sergeant Ben Wayment of the Homicide and Major Crime Command
said: "Michael was a good person who was targeted by three men who had
planned to rob him. Although they intended to steal, what was taken was
Michael's life; the crime left his family and friends inconsolable and
this is a terrible waste of an innocent young life. These men have been
sentenced today, not least because the public did so much to bring
those responsible to justice. I want to thank all those who came to
Michael's direct aid and those who helped police arrest and prosecute
those responsible"
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