Two Nigerians Jailed in Brutal London Knife Murder Case

Two Nigerians Jailed in Brutal London Knife Murder Case

LONDON – In a landmark verdict at the Old Bailey, two Nigerian nationals have been convicted in connection with the savage knife murder of 25-year-old Robert Robinson in East Ham, east London, on February 25, 2023.

Ryan Wedderburn, 30, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. His co-defendant, Anthony Omoluogbe, 31, was convicted of perverting the course of justice for aiding Wedderburn's evasion of arrest and received a three-year prison sentence.

The attack, described by prosecutors as "brutal and sustained," involved a group of men armed with knives who ambushed Robinson in a targeted assault. Robinson suffered multiple stab wounds and died at the scene despite emergency efforts.

The Metropolitan Police's investigation, which spanned months, relied on extensive CCTV footage, mobile phone data from suspects and witnesses, and bank records to trace the perpetrators' movements. DNA evidence played a crucial role, linking a knife discarded near the crime scene to Kirk Harris, who was previously convicted of murder in the same case last year.

Additionally, a second knife recovered from the River Thames several months after the killing was connected to Wedderburn through CCTV analysis, further solidifying the case against him.

Detective Inspector Neil Tovey, who led the probe, hailed the verdicts as a step toward justice. "Today’s verdict brings justice for Robert Robinson and his family," Tovey said in a statement. "Robert was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack by a group of men armed with knives.

"While homicide levels in London are falling, knife crime remains a profound concern for us and our communities. This investigation demonstrates our absolute determination to pursue offenders wherever they go and to hold them accountable for their actions.

"The conviction of Omoluogbe for perverting the course of justice reflects the seriousness of assisting a murderer to evade arrest. Anyone who chooses to help violent offenders avoid accountability is complicit in the harm caused and can expect to face the full force of the law."

The case underscores ongoing efforts to combat knife crime in the capital, with police emphasizing their commitment to dismantling networks involved in such violence.