Two men jailed for life over 2017 stabbing in Newham

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 11:58 · Archive

Two men have been jailed for life for murdering Ahmed Deen-Jah in a convenience store in Newham in April 2017.

Lekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita, both 27, were convicted of murdering 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah in a convenience store on Freemasons Road near Custom House station in Newham on 2 April 2017. They were sentenced at the Old Bailey on 24 October. Akinsoji was ordered to serve a minimum term of 28 years and Keita at least 22 years, totalling a combined 50 years.

Mr Deen-Jah had entered the shop around 3.20pm to buy a cigarette lighter and returned about 30 seconds later, at which point he was pursued by a masked man, stabbed and fatally wounded.

Both men were arrested within eight days of the murder but were released under investigation as enquiries continued. For six years the case remained unsolved. A breakthrough came in 2023 during a case review, which included new phone analysis and forensic evidence.

Keita's phone was traced to the car used in the murder, which was later found on fire in Epping Forest. Forensic analysis of a knife sheath found near the scene and DNA from the victim's hand linked both men to the crime.

Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen said: 'I hope the long sentences provide some measure of closure to Ahmed's family, who have waited almost a decade for justice. Akinsoji and Keita launched a cold-blooded and unprovoked attack. Worse still, they then sought to evade the law – and were able to do so until 2023, when damning forensic evidence came to light.'

How it is being reported

• Killers who torched getaway car in Essex forest are jailed for life over attackLekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita jailed for life at the Old Bailey for murdering Ahmed Deen-Jah in Newham; they must serve a combined 50 years.Brentwood Guardian · 27 Oct, 11:17
• Killers who torched getaway car in Essex forest are jailed for life over attackLekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita jailed for life at the Old Bailey for murdering Ahmed Deen-Jah in Newham; they must serve a combined 50 years.Echo (Basildon) · 27 Oct, 11:17
• Killers who torched getaway car in Essex forest are jailed for life over attackLekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita jailed for life at the Old Bailey for murdering Ahmed Deen-Jah in Newham; they must serve a combined 50 years.Colchester Gazette · 27 Oct, 11:17

In this story: Lekan Akinsoji · Sundjata Keita · Ahmed Deen-Jah · Old Bailey · Newham · Epping Forest

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem