By Tony O’Reilly-
A university student from London who stabbed another undergraduate to death in a drug-related knife fight has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.
Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, 20 (pictured)was given a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 21 years, after being convicted of Mr Osei-Poku’s murder following a trial in November 2023. The court heard that Mr Idubor erroneously believed the street where he committed the murder was not covered by CCTV.
The sentence given was four years short of the usual 25 years minimum sentence, which the judge said was due to mitigating factors.
Mr Osei-Poku died at the scene, close to University of Northampton halls of residence, on April 23 last year after being stabbed in the neck and torso.
Accepting that the victim was himself armed with a knife and was also involved in selling cannabis, the judge told Lebaga-Idubor: “The evidence shows that you had previously carried a knife in public in October 2022.
‘This case, sadly, is yet another one before the courts that highlights the dangers caused by people prepared to carry knives in public.”
The killing happened after Lebaga-Idubor decided to warn Mr Osei-Poku against dealing drugs on campus, the judge said, telling the court: “You made it clear he was selling drugs on what you considered to be your territory. You were armed with a flick-knife
Melvin Lebaga-Idubor was found guilty of murder in November after jurors heard that the 20-year-old attacked Kwabena Osei-Poku, a digital marketing student from Peterborough, in a street he erroneously believed was not covered by CCTV.
Mr Osei-Poku died at the scene, close to University of Northampton halls of residence, on April 23 last year after being stabbed in the neck and torso.
Jurors heard that the victim, known by the nickname KP, had been suspended or excluded by the university in November or December 2022, but had been allowed back in February 2023.
Altercation
The drama unfolded after Lebaga-Idubor arranged to meet Kwabena under the pretentious front of wanting to buy cannabis from him.
It would retrospectively be determined that his real intention was to steal Kwabena’s drugs and threaten him against dealing drugs on Lebaga-Idubor’s territory.
With the stolen drugs in his hand, Lebaga-Idubor left the flat he had met Kwabena in and walked off campus.
Kwabena followed in order to try and get his drugs back but an altercation ensued with Lebaga-Idubor wielding a knife and stabbing him twice in New South Bridge Road.
Despite the best efforts of police, members of the public and paramedics, Kwabena died at the scene.
Perverting The Course Of Justice
The judge also sentenced his 19-year-old Antonio Huian, formerly of Royal Terrace, Northampton, for doing acts tending or intended to pervert the course of justice by assisting Lebaga-Idubor following the killing.
The court heard Huian was in a car which picked up his injured friend and took him to Northampton General Hospital.
He then burnt clothing belonging to Lebaga-Idubor, destroying scientific evidence, and provided him with clothing in which he travelled to London.
Imposing a 14-month sentence of detention, suspended for 21 months, Judge Herbert told Huian: “It must have been crystal clear to you that he wanted to avoid the authorities.
“I have decided by a whisker that I can suspend the sentence in your case.”
Lebaga-Idubor’s then partner, Zhanae Forbes-Coleman, 19, was cleared at last year’s trial of attempting to pervert the course of justice
Jurors also acquitted Ogechi Eke, 19, of unlawfully killing Mr Osei-Poku and possessing a knife.
A trial at Northampton Crown Court heard that Lebaga-Idubor, originally from Barking in east London, had earlier threatened his 19-year-old victim in a kitchen at on-campus accommodation, while stealing a bag of cannabis worth around £1,000.
Passing sentence on Wednesday, Judge David Herbert KC said he was sure the killer had been in possession of a combat-type knife before he was arrested outside Birmingham’s Mango nightclub six months before the murder.
Lebaga-Idubor, who fled to France following the murder, was also found guilty of possessing a knife at the time he killed Mr Osei-Poku.
Mr Osei-Poku was described in family victim impact statements as the perfect brother and someone with a strong desire to help others in his local community.
Earlier in the hearing, Kwabena’s younger brother had a moving victim impact statement read out to the court, which said: “Alfred was the definition of the perfect older brother. He would do anything to keep us safe. He would never miss our birthdays. He would always try and include everyone. His confidence and courage is something I’ll never forget.
“He was my big brother, a third parent, and can never be replaced.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: “There is no sentence in this world that can make up for the loss of Kwabena but I hope his family can take some comfort from today in the fact that his killer – Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, will not be eligible for release from prison until he is in his 40s.
“I want to thank them for their support throughout our investigation, particularly Kwabena’s mother and father – Joyce and Ken, who have had to call on strength as a result of their son’s death that they should never have had to find.
“Their life has been devastated by the loss of their eldest son and they have to live every day with the pain of knowing they will never see him again.
“This is what knife crime does. It ruins families, destroys potential, and cuts short so many lives needlessly. Young people need to realise how dangerous carrying one is and what the consequences can be if you decide to use one during a conflict.
“Please share this story with the young people in your lives. Explain to them that walking away from an argument instead of pulling out a knife can prevent unimaginable pain. Tell them that by using one during a fight could easily lead to death. Tell them that you don’t want to have to go to their funeral.
“I am pleased that we have got justice for Kwabena and I want to thank Deputy SIO – DS Matt Bly, Case Officer – DC Mark Allbright, Family Liaison Officer – DC Lee Chennell, Receiver – Jeff Winfield, and the investigation team from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit for their work on this case.
Together, alongside the University Policing Team and Northamptonshire Police, we got to the truth of what happened to Kwabena and put his killer behind bars for a very long time.”