A Congolese man has been found guilty of murder after fatally stabbing a UK-based Nigerian student in a communal corridor of their shared accommodation in Norwich, England.
Uchenna Okirie, 33, was left dead, face down on the floor, following what police described as a 'sustained and brutal attack' with a knife at Somerleyton House in Norwich on 22 November last year. Despite attempts to save him, he died at the scene.
Benjamin Katabana, 28, handed himself into police shortly after, saying: 'I have killed someone, I think.' He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility but was convicted of murder by a jury at Norwich Crown Court.
CCTV footage captured the two men meeting in the corridor of the building on Somerleyton Street. Okirie, a University of East Anglia economics graduate, appeared to be using his phone when Katabana attacked him, police said.
After stabbing Okirie once, Katabana continued to attack him multiple times and kicked him in the head. His defence argued that a violent loss of control was due to his traumatic upbringing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Katabana then activated the fire alarm at the multi-occupancy residence and made his way to Bethel Street police station, where he surrendered and was arrested.
Okirie, known as Uche, was pronounced dead shortly after 06:00 GMT. The cause of death was a stab wound to the chest. The knife was never recovered, and Katabana gave no account for his actions, answering 'No comment' in interviews.
Senior investigating officer Alix Wright said: 'This was a violent and unprovoked attack. Benjamin Katabana deliberately lured Mr Okirie into the corridor through WhatsApp messages where he intended to meet him, having already armed himself with a knife. Our thoughts remain with Uche's family, and we hope this conviction provides them with a measure of justice for their loss.'
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
