UK jails Nigerian fugitive, Kekere-Ekun, for life

A Nigerian fugitive, Abdul Adewale Kekere-Ekun, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Kingdom for the murder of 18-year-old Marcus Hall in 2001, following a brawl outside Luton’s Atmosphere Nightclub, where the popular music group, So Solid Crew, had performed.

Though 39-year-old Kekere-Ekun, who goes by several aliases such as Adebayo Dalvin James Ekun, Adeba Yo Kekere-Ekun, Adeba Yo Muta Lito Kekere-Ekun, James Dalvin, James Adebayo, had initially pleaded guilty to the murder charge before the Luton Crown Court, he later fled to Nigeria.

However, he was arrested on February 12 in Nigeria by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for identity theft-related offences.

During investigation, it was revealed that Kekere-Ekun, who was arrested for fraud, was on the wanted list of the United Kingdom police.

Consequently, an extradition notice signed by the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, was served on him by the EFCC. He was finally extradited to the United Kingdom, where he reportedly admitted to the killing.

Before his conviction on Monday, 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.

Revealing how he had been traced, the Bedfordshire police said he was identified in 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 to a designer clothes store in London, where it was discovered that the jacket was one of only nine sold in the United Kingdom and the convict was listed as one of the buyers.

After the sentencing, Hall’s mother, Icelyn Wilson, issued a statement through the Bedfordshire police, saying: ‘‘My  son’s death still hurts as if it had happened yesterday and I will never 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.”