Man who killed business associate jailed for life

A man who murdered his business associate in a dispute over money in a car rental business has been jailed for life for a minimum of 24 years.

Ben Wazabanga, 24, drove from Bedford to confront Ayowale Aladejana outside his home in New Cross, south London on 2 August 2025 along with his partner, Ronique Belfon, also an investor.

The couple made the journey with two children who were left in the car as the stabbing unfolded nearby. Belfon, 23, was cleared of murder, after telling the court she had no idea her partner was armed or intent on violence.

The Old Bailey also heard a statement from the bereaved mother, Lola Paul, who said her son was a "kind soul" who "always wanted to help people".

Paul added: "A mother should never have to bury their child."

Aladejana's partner, Katelyn Edwards, said: "My partner was taken from us in the most violent way."

Southwark Crown Court previously heard Aladejana, 26, had set up the scheme, with Wazabanga joining as an investor.

But in the weeks before his death, Wazabanga and Belfon had struggled to get in touch with Aladejana as the business failed and ran up debts.

Prosecutor James Brown KC told the trial Wazabanga stabbed Aladejana in the chest, during a daytime confrontation which was partially captured on a ring doorbell camera.

He fled after the stabbing before briefly returning to retrieve the mobile phone he had dropped, then leaving in the car Belfon was driving.

Mr Brown told jurors Wazabanga had a "real axe to grind against Mr Aladejana", having put up money for vehicle repairs for the A2M2 car rental business.

Messages aired at trial show the escalating efforts by Wazabanga and Belfon to recoup their losses and get hold of Aladejana.

Wazabanga was found guilty of murder in June.

He had earlier admitted possessing a bladed article and breaching a suspended sentence, and was handed concurrent terms of 18 months and 12 months.

Prosecutor James Brown KC said Wazabanga had a "real axe to grind against Mr Aladejana", having put up money for vehicle repairs. Wazabanga claimed self-defence, but the court heard he had carried a knife habitually for around seven years.

Judge Martyn Levett told Wazabanga: "The terrifying reality in this case is that you admitted to routinely carrying a knife."

He said the case was "another grim illustration of how knife crime is blighting the streets of the UK".

Jenni Dempster KC, defending, read from Wazabanga's letter to the judge, in which she 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 also said that since being in custody he has tried to use his time "in a way that will help me grow" and "wants to become a better man".

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