Knife Attack Killing: Two Men Jailed for Manslaughter
Rayhan Yasin Ali, 20, from East Ham, and Junaid Sulaiman, 22, from Newham, have been found guilty of manslaughter but cleared of murder at the Old Bailey on 19 July. The pair were involved in the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Abiola Akerele in December 2020.
Harsh Sentences for Deadly Fight
On 9 March, Sulaiman was handed nine years in prison, plus a two-year extended licence. Ali received four years in a young offenders’ institution with a two-year extended licence.
Family’s Heartbreak After Fatal Stabbing
Abiola’s mother, Abimbola Akerele, delivered a powerful victim impact statement, saying:
“Abiola did not deserve what happened to him, no one does. I want you to know the consequences of your actions that day. You’ve altered all our lives and caused us unimaginable pain. When you took Abi’s life, you took a huge part of mine, his dad’s, and his three brothers’. Words cannot describe the depth of our sorrow. You have cut us deep.”
Police Warn Against Knife Crime
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams led the investigation, stating:
“Sulaiman and Ali will now spend a significant part of their young lives behind bars. This can never make up for the loss the family and friends of Abiola have suffered, but I hope it offers some sense that justice has been done. Abiola’s death is a grim reminder of the dangers of carrying knives and how quickly violence can spiral out of control.”
The Fatal Day Unfolded
The court heard Ali and Sulaiman arranged to meet Abiola at his East Ham home on 29 December 2020. One defendant called Abiola shortly after 3pm to confirm the visit. When the duo arrived, an argument erupted outside, quickly turning violent as a knife was pulled.
Abiola was overpowered and stabbed during the savage attack. The suspects fled on foot while neighbours helped Abiola back inside his home. Paramedics arrived but despite their efforts, Abiola died about an hour later.
Investigators Piece Together the Crime
- CCTV footage showed the suspects arriving and fleeing the scene, though not the attack itself.
- Phone data confirmed their movements around the time of the stabbing.
- Items of clothing matching those worn by the attackers were recovered from the suspects.
- Abiola’s blood was found on a trainer and jogging bottoms seized from Ali.
Police continue to warn the public about the deadly consequences of knife crime across London.
