Two Found Guilty of Manslaughter in East Ham Stabbing
Rayhan Yasin Ali, 20, from Abbots Road, East Ham, and Junaid Sulaiman, 22, from Prince Regent Lane, Newham, were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey on 19 July.
Sentences Delivered
On 9 March, Sulaiman was handed nine years in prison, plus an extended two-year licence. Ali was sentenced to four years in a young offenders’ institution with the same extended licence period.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
Abiola’s mother, Abimbola Akerele, said: “Abiola did not deserve what happened to him, no one does. I want you to know the consequences of your actions that day — you have shattered all our lives. You caused us so much pain and sorrow. The day you took Abi’s life, you took a huge part of mine and five others. Myself, his dad, and his three brothers. Words cannot describe how your actions have cut us deep.”
Investigation Details
Detective Chief Inspector Whellams, who led the probe, said: “Sulaiman and Ali will now spend a long stretch of their young adult lives behind bars. This can never make up for the loss of Abiola and the pain his friends and family suffer, but hopefully it shows justice has been served.”
The fatal incident took place on 29 December 2020. Ali and Sulaiman arranged to meet 28-year-old Abiola Akerele at his East Ham home on Stondon Walk. Around 3pm, one defendant phoned Abiola to confirm the meeting.
Moments later, the pair arrived and Abiola went outside. A fight broke out and a knife was pulled. Abiola was overpowered and brutally stabbed in a savage attack.
The suspects fled the scene on foot. Paramedics rushed to help but Abiola died within an hour.
Key Evidence Uncovered
- CCTV footage showed the suspects arriving and leaving but not the stabbing itself.
- Phone records confirmed their movements that day.
- Clothing worn by the attackers matched items recovered from the suspects.
- Abiola’s blood was found on trainer and jogging bottoms seized from Ali.
The case is a harsh reminder of the deadly consequences of carrying knives and how quickly violence can spiral out of control.
