Ben Wazabanga, 24, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years for the murder of his business associate Ayowale Aladejana. The killing occurred after Wazabanga travelled more than 50 miles from Bedford to New Cross, south London, with two small children in the car, armed with a hunting knife.
Murder outside home in New Cross
On August 2, 2025, Wazabanga and his partner Ronique Belfon drove from Bedford to confront Mr Aladejana outside his home in Monson Road. The confrontation, partially captured on a ring doorbell camera, ended with Wazabanga stabbing the 26-year-old in the chest. The children remained in the vehicle a short distance away during the attack. Wazabanga fled after the stabbing but briefly returned to retrieve a dropped mobile phone before leaving in the car driven by Ms Belfon.
Background of business dispute
Southwark Crown Court heard that Mr Aladejana had set up a car rental business called A2M2, with Wazabanga and Belfon as investors. In the weeks before the murder, the business failed and accumulated debts, and the couple struggled to contact Mr Aladejana. Prosecutor James Brown KC told the trial that Wazabanga had a “real axe to grind against Mr Aladejana” over money put into vehicle repairs. Messages shown at trial revealed escalating efforts by Wazabanga and Belfon to recoup their losses.
Sentencing and previous convictions
In June 2026, a jury found Wazabanga guilty of murder. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, he was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life with a minimum of 24 years. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and breaching a suspended sentence, receiving concurrent sentences of 18 months and 12 months respectively. The court heard that Wazabanga had 12 previous convictions, including knife-related offences, and admitted to carrying a knife “more often than not” since 2018. Judge Martyn Levett stated: “The terrifying reality in this case is that you admitted to routinely carrying a knife. Once more the carrying of a knife and the use of it is another grim illustration of how knife crime is blighting the streets of the UK.”
Victim impact statements
Mr Aladejana’s mother, Lola Paul, described her son as a “kind soul” who “always wanted to help people”, adding: “A mother should never have to bury their child.” His partner, Katelyn Edwards, said: “The trauma of what happened has deeply affected my mental health. My partner was taken from us in the most violent way.”
Defence and co-defendant
Wazabanga claimed self-defence, but the court rejected this. His barrister, Jenni Dempster KC, read a letter in which Wazabanga said: “I understand that a life has been lost and that this situation has caused pain to many people, especially the family of the deceased, I do not take that lightly.” He added he wanted to “become a better man”. Ronique Belfon, 23, was cleared of murder after testifying she had no knowledge of the knife or intent to cause violence. The couple were arrested near Waterloo Bridge, central London, on the evening of the stabbing.
