Benjamin Katabana sentenced to life for Norwich murder

Benjamin Katabana, 28, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his roommate, Uchenna Okirie, in Norwich, United Kingdom.

The attack occurred on November 22 at Somerleyton House. Katabana reportedly used WhatsApp messages to lure the 33-year-old former University of East Anglia economics student into a communal corridor. According to Norfolk Constabulary, Katabana attacked Okirie with a knife and repeatedly kicked him in the head while he was on the floor. Okirie died at the scene from a stab wound to the chest.

Following the incident, Katabana activated a fire alarm and surrendered to police at Bethel Street Police Station, stating, “I have killed someone, I think.” While Katabana pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, a jury convicted him of murder. The judge noted Katabana's history of violence and previous convictions during sentencing.