Two teenage gang members sentenced for the murder of a 17-year-old boy

18/12/2012

Two teenage gang members were today sentenced for the murder of a 17-year-old boy who had been caught up in a "poisonous" gang feud.

Nelson Idiabeta and Nathaniel Okusanya were found guilty at the Central Criminal Court on 17th December of the murder of Kwame Ofosu-Asare who was stabbed to death on a housing estate in Brixton on 2nd March 2012.

Idiabeta, who was 17 when the murder was committed, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 19 years.
Okusanya, who was 18 when the murder was committed, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years.

Jenny Hopkins, CPS London Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "Kwame Ofosu-Asare's senseless murder was part of a poisonous feud between two gangs in south London in which he had no part.
"Kwame was not a member of any gang yet he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time with tragic consequences. Two gang members Idiabeta and Okusanya -  sought revenge in a rival gang's territory, chased Kwame and his friend down an alley and stabbed him several times in the back.
"CPS London is committed to working with its partners in the fight against gang and knife crime and this conviction should be seen as a clear signal that these acts of violence which destroy young lives and families will be robustly prosecuted wherever we can.
"We hope that this conviction will bring some justice for Kwame's family and our thoughts are with them at this time."