Murder at Convenience Store
Lekan Akinsoji, 27, of no fixed address, and Sundjata Keita, 27, from St Margaret’s Court, were found guilty on Thursday, October 9, at the Old Bailey for the brutal murder of 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah.
The chilling attack happened on April 2, 2017. Ahmed was stabbed during an unprovoked assault inside a convenience store on Freemasons Road Canning Town,London
CCTV Captures Fatal Assault
Footage showed Ahmed entering the shop at 3.20pm to buy a cigarette lighter. Within 30 seconds, a man in a balaclava followed him in, chased him around the store, and stabbed him before fleeing. Ahmed was pronounced dead at the scene.
Key Evidence Cracks Case
- Akinsoji and Keita were initially arrested but released due to lack of evidence.
- In 2023, police traced Keita’s phone to a car used in the murder that was later found burnt out in Epping Forest.
- Forensic analysis matched a knife sheath near the scene to Keita, while DNA on Ahmed’s hand matched Akinsoji.
The pair were rearrested on October 25 last year and charged with murder.
The court heard that the killing was gang-related “tit for tat” violence. Both men had been cruising in a stolen car, hunting rivals.
Justice After Eight Years
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen said: “Eight years on, Ahmed’s family finally get justice. Akinsoji and Keita thought they’d got away with murder. They targeted Ahmed, a stranger, who was just going to the shops.
“Despite damning forensic evidence, they show no remorse, dragging Ahmed’s family through a painful trial. This was a horrendous case where a young man lost his life.”
Sentencing is set for October 24 at the Old Bailey.
