A man who fatally stabbed a rival gang member in a liquor store before embarking on a shooting spree while donning a clown mask has been sentenced to prison. Lekan Akinsoji, 27, is a notorious member of the North Newham gang, known for its history of violence and deadly attacks in east London. In 2019, Akinsoji faced imprisonment for shooting at armed officers who retaliated by firing at his vehicle.
Recently, Akinsoji was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of 24-year-old Ahmed Deen Jah in 2017. During the trial at the Old Bailey in central London, prosecutor Anthony Orchard described how Akinsoji’s clown mask reminded an officer of a scene from the movie ‘Heat,’ resembling a sinister clown figure.
It was revealed that Akinsoji was part of the Woodrange gang, while Jah belonged to the Custom House gang. Tragically, Jah’s younger brother, Abubakarr Jah, also known as ‘Junior,’ was later killed in a stabbing and shooting incident in Custom House in April 2021.
Akinsoji and another individual, Keita, were found guilty of murdering Ahmed Deen Jah by a jury at the Old Bailey. Akinsoji received a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years, while Keita was sentenced to life with a minimum of 22 years.
Addressing the court, Judge Anthony Leonard, KC, emphasized that despite Jah’s affiliation with a gang, no one should meet a violent end due to such associations. The grieving family endured two trials following the tragic loss of their two sons, showing immense strength and composure throughout the legal proceedings.
The judge condemned Akinsoji’s vicious attack, stating, “You chased your victim into a store and brutally stabbed him, causing fatal injuries.” He also highlighted Keita’s active role in the violent incident, stressing the context of escalating gang-related crimes leading up to the murder.
During the sentencing, a spectator in the public gallery shouted out in frustration. The court heard details of the fatal encounter at BJ Wines, where Jah was ambushed by two individuals wearing black clothing, balaclavas, and gloves. The assailants pursued Jah into the store, where a fatal struggle ensued, resulting in his tragic death.
The incident, captured on CCTV, underscored the premeditated nature of the attack amid ongoing tensions between the North Newham and Custom House gangs. Jah, a repeat offender with prior convictions, was targeted in his local area, further fueling the gang rivalry.
Keita, known as ‘SK’ on the streets, was apprehended in Gloucestershire with drugs and incriminating evidence linking him to the murder. Akinsoji’s defense counsel highlighted the context of gang warfare prevalent at the time, expressing regret that Akinsoji had not been held accountable sooner.
In conclusion, the court proceedings shed light on the tragic consequences of gang violence, leading to irreversible loss and prolonged legal battles for the affected families.
