Man convicted of murder

A man has been convicted of murder after he stabbed a man to death in a communal corridor of the shared accommodation where they both lived.

Benjamin Katabana, aged 28, of Somerleyton House, Norwich had denied murdering 33-year-old Uchenna Okirie, known as ‘Uche’, but offered a guilty plea to manslaughter with diminished responsibility.

A jury, however, has today (Wednesday 3 June 2026) returned a unanimous verdict of murder following an 11 day trial at Norwich Crown Court.

Police were called to Somerleyton House at 5.22am on Saturday 22 November 2025 and reports a man had been found unresponsive and bleeding at the premises.

Despite efforts to save him Uche was sadly pronounced dead at 6.01am - just as his attacker was handing himself in to police saying: "I have killed someone, I think."

Officers reviewed footage of the incident which was clearly captured on CCTV.

It showed the two men coming together in the corridor of the communal building where they both lived.

In the footage Mr Okirie appears to be using his mobile phone when Katabana, who can clearly be seen to be holding a knife, delivers a sustained and brutal attack, ultimately leaving him for dead face down on the floor.

Having stabbed him once he went on to attack him multiple times and kick him in the head - a violent loss of control his defence said was due to his traumatic upbringing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After the attack Katabana then activated the fire alarm at the multi-occupancy residence and made his way through the city to Bethel Street where he handed himself in to police and was arrested.

Meanwhile, despite efforts to save the victim, his heart could not be re-started and he was pronounced dead at 6.01am.  

The cause of death was a stab wound of the chest.

The murder weapon used in the attack was never recovered.

In interview Katabana gave no account for his actions answering 'no comment'.

However the evidence presented during the trial was clear and compelling. The jury ultimately rejected the defence's claims and convicted him of murder.

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 yet to be set.