Man convicted of murder after killing fellow resident in Norwich shared accommodation
The knife attack on a fellow resident happened inside a shared accommodation block, which was captured on CCTV
A Norwich man has been found guilty of murder after a brutal knife attack on a fellow resident inside a shared accommodation block was captured on CCTV.
28-year-old Benjamin Katabana, of Somerleyton House, was convicted by a unanimous jury at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday (3 June) following an 11-day trial.
The court heard how Katabana fatally stabbed 33-year-old Uchenna Okirie, known as Uche, in the communal corridor of the building where both men lived.
Katabana admitted unlawfully killing Mr Okirie and offered a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. However, prosecutors pursued a murder charge, arguing the attack was deliberate and sustained.
Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the incident, which took place during the early hours of Saturday, 22 November 2025.
The footage showed Mr Okirie standing in the corridor using his mobile phone when Katabana approached carrying a knife. He then launched a violent assault, stabbing the victim repeatedly and kicking him before leaving him lying face down on the floor.
Emergency services were called to the property at 5.22am after reports of an injured man. Despite efforts by paramedics to save him, Mr Okirie was pronounced dead at 6.01am. A post-mortem examination later found he died from a stab wound to the chest.
As emergency crews fought to save the victim, Katabana was making his way across Norwich city centre. He later handed himself in to police on Bethel Street, reportedly telling officers: "I have killed someone, I think."
The court heard that after the attack Katabana activated the fire alarm at the multi-occupancy building before leaving the scene.
During the trial, the defence argued Katabana's actions were linked to psychological difficulties stemming from a traumatic upbringing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The prosecution, however, said the CCTV footage and surrounding evidence demonstrated a clear intent to kill.
Katabana gave no explanation for his actions during police interviews, answering "no comment" to questions put to him by detectives.
The murder weapon was never recovered despite police enquiries.
Following deliberations, the jury unanimously rejected the defence case and returned a verdict of guilty of murder.
Senior Investigating Officer Alix Wright said: "This was a violent and unprovoked attack.
"Benjamin Katabana deliberately lured Mr Okirie into the corridor through WhatsApp messages where he intended to meet him having already armed himself with a knife.
"Our thoughts remain with Uche's family, and we hope this conviction provides them with a measure of justice for their loss."
A sentencing date has yet to be set.