Man convicted of 2024 murder in Tottenham

A man has been found guilty of the murder of Okechukwu Iweha, a 46-year-old man who died following multiple stab wounds on Sunday, 7 April 2024.

Devon Brown, 30 (19.02.1995), of Northumberland Park, Tottenham was convicted at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 11 December.

Leandro Kaienga, 29 (11.04.1996), of Robert Street, Croydon was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after being found not guilty of murder by the jury.

During the trial the jury heard how Okechukwu was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack.

Officers were called at 05:51hrs to Northumberland Park N17, after Okechukwu was found unresponsive. On arrival, police performed CPR and attached a defibrillator to Okechukwu. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service took over when they arrived on scene and the Helicopter Emergency Service carried out emergency surgery.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, Okechukwu was sadly pronounced dead at the scene an hour later. A post-mortem examination stated a stab wound to the chest as the cause of death.

In footage shown in open court, Brown can be seen cornering Okechukwu in Worchester Avenue, N17, after spotting Okechukwu minutes earlier cycling a bike which he believed was stolen. Okechukwu brings the bike to a halt following calls from Kaienga.

While Okechukwu’s hands are on the handlebars, Brown pulls a large knife out of his waistband before stabbing Okechukwu several times.

As Okechukwu is on the ground, Kaienga kicks away Okechukwu’s shoe and picks up his own hat from the middle of the road. Brown can be seen assessing the bloodstained bike before deciding to leave it be.

The pair then walk off together, leaving Okechukwu to die alone on the pavement, before disposing their clothes and the knife used in the attack in a nearby bin. These items went onto be incinerated. This resulted in a charge of perverting the course of justice, which the duo were also found guilty of.

Despite their efforts to conceal evidence, forensic officers worked quickly to obtain DNA from the scene – via a vehicle touched by Brown – and from clear CCTV which was enough to secure the charge for murder.

Brown fled the country the morning after the murder but was located by Met officers in Dallas, America. He was extradited and arrested on Friday, 24 January 2025 and charged following extradition procedures. Kaienga was arrested on Monday, 22 April 2024 in Croydon and was charged with murder and perverting the course of justice the day after.

Detective Inspector Mark Johnson, who led the investigation, said:

“Our detectives have been relentless in their pursuit for justice, and today, that was delivered for Okechukwu. My thoughts remain with his loved ones who continue to demonstrate togetherness despite significant heartache.

“The defendants who carried out this senseless, brutal attack took the life of a much-loved man, and showed no remorse in the minutes, hours and days that followed.

“Knife crime has no place in London. Although homicide figures in the city are at a five-year-low, we remain steadfast in our mission to reduce serious violence and ultimately ensure fewer incidents like this happen on our streets.

Brown and Kaienga will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 19 December.