Brutal Convenience Store Murder: Two Found Guilty After Eight Years
Lekan Akinsoji, 27, homeless, and Sundjata Keita, 27, from St Margaret’s Court, have been found guilty at the Old Bailey for the savage murder of 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah.
Stabbed in Store: CCTV Captures Chilling Attack
The terrifying assault unfolded on April 2, 2017, inside a convenience store on Freemasons Road, Canning Town. CCTV footage shows Ahmed entering at 3.20pm to buy a cigarette lighter. Within 30 seconds, a masked attacker storms in, chases Ahmed around the shop, then stabs him before fleeing.
Ahmed was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crucial Evidence Cracks Cold Case Wide Open
- Akinsoji and Keita were first arrested but released due to lack of evidence.
- In 2023, police linked Keita’s phone to a car used in the murder, later found burnt out in Epping Forest.
- Forensic experts matched a knife sheath near the scene to Keita, and DNA on Ahmed’s hand to Akinsoji.
The men were rearrested last October and charged with murder. The court heard it was a gang-related “tit for tat” attack. The pair had been cruising in a stolen car looking for rivals.
Justice at Last: Killer Duo Show No Remorse
“Eight years on, Ahmed’s family finally get justice. Akinsoji and Keita thought they’d got away with murder. They targeted Ahmed, a stranger, just going to the shops,” said Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen. “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 due on October 24 at the Old Bailey.
