LONDON, England — A second man has been convicted in relation to the fatal stabbing of Okechukwu Iweha last year in Tottenham, following a joint trial at the Old Bailey. Devon Brown, 30, was found guilty of murder after a jury found he stabbed the 46-year-old victim multiple times during a confrontation.
Leandro Kaienga, 29, who was also on trial, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of perverting the course of justice. The jury’s decision followed harrowing evidence and surveillance footage presented in court.
Police responded to an emergency call on April 7, 2024, around 5:51 a.m., where they found Iweha unresponsive. Officers attempted CPR and continued emergency efforts, but he was pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour later. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that Iweha died from a stab wound to the chest.
CCTV evidence revealed the moments leading up to the attack, during which Brown approached Iweha as he was cycling. Brown allegedly believed the bike was stolen, prompting him to confront Iweha. In disturbing footage, Brown can be seen brandishing a large knife before inflicting multiple stab wounds on Iweha, who fell to the ground.
After the assault, Kaienga is seen kicking Iweha’s shoe and retrieving his hat from the street, while Brown examined the bloody bike before they both left the scene. They later disposed of evidence, including the weapon, in a nearby bin, which contributed to their charges.
Despite attempts to destroy evidence, forensic investigators linked both men to the crime through DNA found on a vehicle touched by Brown and clear CCTV footage. Following the murder, Brown fled to Dallas, Texas, but was apprehended by authorities and extradited back to the UK in January 2025. Kaienga was arrested two weeks later in Croydon.
Detective Inspector Mark Johnson, who led the investigation, emphasized the importance of justice for Iweha’s family. He expressed condolences and reiterated the police’s commitment to tackling knife crime in London, despite recent statistics indicating a decline in murder rates.
Brown and Kaienga are scheduled for sentencing on December 19. The tragic incident has sparked renewed discussions about the prevalence of knife violence in urban areas and the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing this issue.