A Nigerian fugitive, Abdul Adewale Kekere-Ekun, was on Monday sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Kingdom (UK) for murdering 18-year-old Marcus Hall in 2001, following a brawl outside Luton’s Atmosphere Nightclub.
A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that the 39-year-old Kekere-Ekun, had initially pleaded guilty to the murder charge before the Luton Crown Court before he later fled to Nigeria
According to the statement signed by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Kekere-Ekun goes by several aliases like Adebayo Dalvin, James Ekun, Adeba Yo Kekere-Ekun, Adeba Yo Muta Lito Kekere-Ekun, James Dalvin and many others.
It said that investigation revealed that Kekere-Ekun, who was arrested by EFCC on February 12, 2015, for identity theft-related offences was on the wanted list of the UK Police.
“Consequently, an extradition notice signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, was served on him by the EFCC.
“He was finally extradited back to the United Kingdom, where he reportedly admitted to the killing.
“Before his eviction, today, seven of the gang members had been convicted in 2002 and 2003 for their part in Hall’s murder, but two convictions were later quashed,’’ the statement said.
It said the Bedfordshire Police identified him in a CCTV footage of the attack, where he was wearing a distinctive checked coat.
“Upon discovery of a flyer for the shop found by the Bedfordshire Police during a raid on his home, detectives went on to a designer clothes store in London.
“It was discovered that the jacket was one of only nine sold in the UK and the convict was listed as one of the buyers,’’ the statement said.
The statement said after the sentencing, Hall’s mother, Icelyn Wilson, in a statement issued through the Bedfordshire Police, was quoted to have said: “My son’s death still hurts as if it had happened yesterday and I will get over it.
“You did not just ruin one life, you left a ripple effect which has impacted on everyone involved in my son, Marcus’ life.’’
