by Benson Agoha | Crime
A university graduate who was stabbed to death in Enfield, can finally rest in peace after his attacker were sentenced to jail at the Old Bailey. Michael Adegbite was stabbed after he took his laptop to potential buyers who turned out to be crooks.
According to a Metropolitan Police statement three men were jailed for their part in the robbery that led to the killing the university graduate.
The court heard how the victim, Michael Adegbite from Chingford, had been lured to a location by the three men so they could steal his Apple laptop.
On Thursday, 4 February, after a trial at the Old Bailey, all three were found guilty of manslaughter for the murder of Michael, who died on Sunday, 19 July 2015.
Christopher Nzeh, 18, of Fountain Row, Spring Way, Hitchin, Herts was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 21-and-a-half years in total.
Two further men, who were also found not guilty of murder and manslaughter, were sentenced after they had also pleaded guilty, prior to the trial, to conspiracy to commit robbery. They are:
Montel Ajayi, 19, of Fowley Close, Waltham Cross was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Isacc Owen-Brady, 18, of Blossom Lane, EN2, was found guilty of possession of the knife which killed Michael Adegbite, and had also pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article at a previous hearing in relation to a separate offence. He was jailed for 12 years in total for these offences.
Get The Full Background - Read The Police Statement said:
The court heard how Michael had arranged to meet the trio after advertising a computer for sale online. The 28-year-old, who also worked as a fitness trainer, thought he had sold the equipment to an interested buyer in Enfield. Instead, after a second confrontation with the men, he was fatally stabbed.
The court heard how one of Michael's friends had advertised an Apple MacBook computer for sale on an internet site on Michael's behalf. A potential buyer made contact, and an agreement was made to meet up on Sunday, 19 July at Auckland Close, Enfield.
Michael and a friend drove to the meeting in their car and were approached by the three defendants who identified themselves as the buyers.
The laptop was shown to the three men, and it was passed between them, but one of the three men produced a folding knife and threatened them. Michael managed to snatch back the MacBook.
The three robbers made off, but Michael phoned another friend and told him what had happened - the friend lived nearby and came to meet them at the car carrying a metal bar and a hammer.
Michael and his two friends then drove round the local area looking for the men who had tried to rob them. Minutes later they found the three would-be robbers about a mile away in Lackmore Road, Enfield.
Michael got out of the car carrying the iron bar and witnesses then described seeing Nzeh swing at Michael with a knife and miss. However he swung again and this blow struck Michael on the chest and he fell to the ground fatally wounded.
At 18:56hrs police were called by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to attend Lackmore Road to reports of a male with a stab wound. Despite extensive efforts by the attending medics, they were unable to save Michael and he was pronounced dead at 19:31hrs.
The three suspects had fled the scene, but a passing motorist came across a growing crowd in Lackmore Road and overheard a female indicating that they had travelled along Elsinge Road.
He investigated further down that road and saw three black males walking very fast and looking over their shoulders. He followed them whilst calling police and telling them the location of the suspects. He also took photos of the fleeing suspects; these images later provided significant evidence.
Police officers went to his location and all three suspects were arrested.
A knife was later found hidden in a garden through a small hole in the fence in a deliberate act to conceal it. This was on the route taken by the three suspects and following forensic analysis the blood on the knife later proved to be Michael's.
All three men were questioned but refused to answer any questions about the crime. However, a meticulous investigation by detectives from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command linked them to the crime with forensic and witness evidence.
On Wednesday, 22 July 2015 all three men were charged with Michael's murder and conspiracy to rob. Although it was Nzeh who struck the fatal blow, the other two were charged with murder as they were part of a joint enterprise. All three were subsequently remanded in custody by the court.
Detective Sergeant Ben Wayment of the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "Michael was a good person who was targeted by three men who had planned to rob him. Although they intended to steal, what was taken was Michael's life; the crime left his family and friends inconsolable and this is a terrible waste of an innocent young life.
"These men have been sentenced today, not least because the public did so much to bring those responsible to justice. I want to thank all those who came to Michael's direct aid and those who helped police arrest and prosecute those responsible."
Michael's family said: "Michael's family and friends have been shattered by the decision of Christopher Nzeh to carry a knife. Michael had never been in trouble with the police and was a young man who had everything to live for. We urge people to think about the tragic consequences that can come from carrying a knife, and never to take your personal safety for granted. If just one person decided to stop carrying a knife, it would be a fitting tribute to Michael and everything he stood for."
"We wish to thank everyone for all their support in this dark period. Thank you to the members of the public that gave assistance at the scene on 19 July and thereafter."
"The kindness and support shown by the police, victim support and members of the public has been outstanding and we thank the prosecution for helping to bring forth justice."
"Thank you to all our family and friends for the support since the tragic day and throughout this very trying period. You all have our utmost gratitude."
"Lastly thank you to Michael Gbenga Adegbite for all of the joy, laughter and happiness you brought into our lives. Please continue to watch over and guide us with your infectious smile and joyous spirit. We miss you dearly and love you with all our hearts and more."
According to a Metropolitan Police statement three men were jailed for their part in the robbery that led to the killing the university graduate.
The court heard how the victim, Michael Adegbite from Chingford, had been lured to a location by the three men so they could steal his Apple laptop.
On Thursday, 4 February, after a trial at the Old Bailey, all three were found guilty of manslaughter for the murder of Michael, who died on Sunday, 19 July 2015.
Christopher Nzeh, 18, of Fountain Row, Spring Way, Hitchin, Herts was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 21-and-a-half years in total.
Two further men, who were also found not guilty of murder and manslaughter, were sentenced after they had also pleaded guilty, prior to the trial, to conspiracy to commit robbery. They are:
Montel Ajayi, 19, of Fowley Close, Waltham Cross was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Isacc Owen-Brady, 18, of Blossom Lane, EN2, was found guilty of possession of the knife which killed Michael Adegbite, and had also pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article at a previous hearing in relation to a separate offence. He was jailed for 12 years in total for these offences.
Get The Full Background - Read The Police Statement said:
The court heard how Michael had arranged to meet the trio after advertising a computer for sale online. The 28-year-old, who also worked as a fitness trainer, thought he had sold the equipment to an interested buyer in Enfield. Instead, after a second confrontation with the men, he was fatally stabbed.
The court heard how one of Michael's friends had advertised an Apple MacBook computer for sale on an internet site on Michael's behalf. A potential buyer made contact, and an agreement was made to meet up on Sunday, 19 July at Auckland Close, Enfield.
Michael and a friend drove to the meeting in their car and were approached by the three defendants who identified themselves as the buyers.
The laptop was shown to the three men, and it was passed between them, but one of the three men produced a folding knife and threatened them. Michael managed to snatch back the MacBook.
The three robbers made off, but Michael phoned another friend and told him what had happened - the friend lived nearby and came to meet them at the car carrying a metal bar and a hammer.
Michael and his two friends then drove round the local area looking for the men who had tried to rob them. Minutes later they found the three would-be robbers about a mile away in Lackmore Road, Enfield.
Michael got out of the car carrying the iron bar and witnesses then described seeing Nzeh swing at Michael with a knife and miss. However he swung again and this blow struck Michael on the chest and he fell to the ground fatally wounded.
At 18:56hrs police were called by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to attend Lackmore Road to reports of a male with a stab wound. Despite extensive efforts by the attending medics, they were unable to save Michael and he was pronounced dead at 19:31hrs.
The three suspects had fled the scene, but a passing motorist came across a growing crowd in Lackmore Road and overheard a female indicating that they had travelled along Elsinge Road.
He investigated further down that road and saw three black males walking very fast and looking over their shoulders. He followed them whilst calling police and telling them the location of the suspects. He also took photos of the fleeing suspects; these images later provided significant evidence.
Police officers went to his location and all three suspects were arrested.
A knife was later found hidden in a garden through a small hole in the fence in a deliberate act to conceal it. This was on the route taken by the three suspects and following forensic analysis the blood on the knife later proved to be Michael's.
All three men were questioned but refused to answer any questions about the crime. However, a meticulous investigation by detectives from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command linked them to the crime with forensic and witness evidence.
On Wednesday, 22 July 2015 all three men were charged with Michael's murder and conspiracy to rob. Although it was Nzeh who struck the fatal blow, the other two were charged with murder as they were part of a joint enterprise. All three were subsequently remanded in custody by the court.
Detective Sergeant Ben Wayment of the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "Michael was a good person who was targeted by three men who had planned to rob him. Although they intended to steal, what was taken was Michael's life; the crime left his family and friends inconsolable and this is a terrible waste of an innocent young life.
"These men have been sentenced today, not least because the public did so much to bring those responsible to justice. I want to thank all those who came to Michael's direct aid and those who helped police arrest and prosecute those responsible."
Michael's family said: "Michael's family and friends have been shattered by the decision of Christopher Nzeh to carry a knife. Michael had never been in trouble with the police and was a young man who had everything to live for. We urge people to think about the tragic consequences that can come from carrying a knife, and never to take your personal safety for granted. If just one person decided to stop carrying a knife, it would be a fitting tribute to Michael and everything he stood for."
"We wish to thank everyone for all their support in this dark period. Thank you to the members of the public that gave assistance at the scene on 19 July and thereafter."
"The kindness and support shown by the police, victim support and members of the public has been outstanding and we thank the prosecution for helping to bring forth justice."
"Thank you to all our family and friends for the support since the tragic day and throughout this very trying period. You all have our utmost gratitude."
"Lastly thank you to Michael Gbenga Adegbite for all of the joy, laughter and happiness you brought into our lives. Please continue to watch over and guide us with your infectious smile and joyous spirit. We miss you dearly and love you with all our hearts and more."
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