Lekan Akinsoji, 27, who is homeless, and Sundjata Keita, 27, from St Margaret’s Court, have been found guilty at the Old Bailey for the brutal murder of 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah.
The stabbing occurred on April 2, 2017, inside a convenience store on Freemasons Road, Canning Town. CCTV footage captured the chilling attack, showing Ahmed entering the store at 3.20pm to buy a cigarette lighter. Within 30 seconds, a masked attacker entered, chased Ahmed around the shop, and stabbed him before fleeing. Ahmed was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initially, Akinsoji and Keita were arrested but released due to insufficient evidence. In 2023, police linked Keita’s phone to a car used in the murder, which was later found burnt out in Epping Forest. Forensic experts matched a knife sheath found near the scene to Keita, and DNA on Ahmed’s hand was linked to Akinsoji.
The men were rearrested in October 2023 and charged with murder. The court heard the attack was gang-related and described as a “tit for tat” incident. The pair had been driving in a stolen car searching for rivals.
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen said, “Eight years on, Ahmed’s family finally get justice. Akinsoji and Keita thought they’d got away with murder. They targeted Ahmed, a stranger, just going to the shops. Despite damning forensic evidence, they show no remorse, dragging Ahmed’s family through a painful trial. This was a horrendous case where a young man lost his life.”
Sentencing is scheduled for October 24 at the Old Bailey.
Originally published by UKNIP.
