A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, was on Tuesday brought before the Norwich Crown Court over the alleged fatal stabbing of a Nigerian man, Ucheena Okirie, described as a former postgraduate student of the University of East Anglia. The incident occurred at a residential facility occupied by both students and working professionals.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Katabana has been charged with murder and is expected to appear at the Norwich Magistrates’ Court.
According to the Eastern Daily Press, officers responded to Somerleyton House, off Unthank Road, around 5:22 am on November 22, after receiving reports of a suspected stabbing.
A murder probe was launched after Okirie, believed to be in his 30s, died from a single stab wound to his chest.
The report stated, “Katabana, a Congolese national, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday after being charged with murder.
“The 27-year-old of Somerleyton Street, Norwich, wore a greenish top when he appeared at court via videolink from Norwich Prison.”
A tentative trial date of May 18 has been scheduled, with the proceedings expected to run for five to seven days under Judge Alice Robinson. Katabana reportedly spoke only to confirm his personal details during the short court session.
Following an earlier appearance at the Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Katabana’s father, Fabrice, recounted the family’s escape from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He explained that they moved to the UK in 2010 when Benjamin was 10 years old, through the UK’s Gateway Protection Programme, which offered legal resettlement to up to 750 refugees annually.
The report noted, “Goma has been a central flashpoint in a prolonged conflict, most notably involving the M23 rebel group, with fighting creating one of the world’s deadliest humanitarian crises.”
Police cordoned off the area and temporarily evacuated residents of Somerleyton House as forensic officers began work at the scene.
A representative of the University of East Anglia said, “Checks of our student records identified a handful of current UEA students residing at Somerleyton House.
“The university has reached out to each of them and will ensure they receive all the support they need. We remain committed to supporting all affected students during this difficult time.”
Okirie’s death adds to two other recent fatalities involving Nigerians overseas — one found dead inside a truck in the United States and another discovered in a UK apartment — both previously reported by PUNCH Metro.
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