UK court sentences Nigerian man and drill rapper Lekan Akinsoji to life imprisonment for 2017 East London murder after DNA evidence confirms his role.
A Nigerian man, drill rapper Lekan Akinsoji, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Kingdom for his role in the 2017 murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah in East London.
The verdict, delivered at the Old Bailey on October 24, 2025, comes after nearly a decade of meticulous investigation by the Metropolitan Police, relying heavily on DNA evidence that linked Akinsoji and his accomplice, Sundjata Keita, to the fatal attack.
Lekan Akinsoji life imprisonment is a landmark sentence, highlighting the impact of modern forensic science and persistent police work in resolving long-standing violent crimes.
On April 2, 2017, 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack at a convenience store near Custom House Station, Newham.
CCTV footage revealed Ahmed entering the store, buying a lighter, and returning moments later while being followed by a masked man. The attacker stabbed him inside the shop, and Ahmed was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed the murder was part of gang-related violence, with the suspects attempting to evade law enforcement for years.
A major breakthrough came in 2023 when the Metropolitan Police reopened the case. Forensic analysis revealed Keita’s phone inside the car used during the crime, which was later found burned in Epping Forest.
DNA samples from a knife sheath and the victim’s hands conclusively matched both men, prompting their rearrest in October 2024 and murder charges.
The trial began on September 8, 2025, at the Old Bailey, where prosecutors detailed how the murder resulted from “tit-for-tat” gang violence.
CCTV footage showed Lekan Akinsoji ambushing Ahmed in the shop before stabbing him. Both men had been driving around in a stolen vehicle, seeking members of a rival gang.
The jury found them guilty on October 9, 2025, resulting in Lekan Akinsoji life imprisonment with a minimum of 28 years, while Keita received 22 years.
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen praised the investigation: “These sentences bring closure to Ahmed’s family after nearly a decade. Akinsoji and Keita carried out a senseless attack but could not escape justice.”
Ahmed’s father expressed relief and gratitude, saying the verdict gave him peace after years of mental anguish.
Before his conviction, Lekan Akinsoji was a drill rapper in East London, associated with local gangs. Community leaders hope the case serves as a warning, emphasizing that gang-related violence can lead to life-altering consequences, as seen with Lekan Akinsoji life imprisonment.
The conviction of this Nigerian man underscores how forensic science, digital investigation, and dedicated policing can solve long-standing crimes.
Nearly a decade later, justice has been served, and the case highlights the consequences of choosing violence over positive paths in life.
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