Two friends who met while studying for master's degrees in Scotland have denied murdering a stranger outside a nightclub in Lewisham, south-east London.
Chibueze Chukwurah, 34, and Maxwell Uguanya, 33, both pleaded not guilty to the murder and manslaughter of Taiwo Ekerin. The alleged attack took place outside the Alpha Lounge venue on May 24. Mr Ekerin died in hospital on May 30.
Prosecution describes 'serious impromptu violence'
Prosecutor Frederick Hookway told Southwark Crown Court the alleged offending was “serious impromptu violence which resulted in the death of another”. He said a dispute broke out, and Chukwurah is accused of striking Mr Ekerin in the head with a punch, causing him to “fall back on the ground”. “Indeed the defendant never got back up,” Mr Hookway added.
Uguanya allegedly “then got on top of him” and dealt further blows. Chukwurah also kicked Mr Ekerin while he was on the ground, the prosecution claimed.
Defence notes unplanned nature and unclear cause of death
James Manning, defending Chukwurah, said “this offence was unplanned and impromptu” and that there is no connection between the defendants and the alleged victim. He also told the court on Friday: “The cause of death isn’t totally clear yet.”
The co-defendants had met while studying master's courses at the University of Aberdeen, the court heard. Chukwurah, a Nigerian national of Royston Road, Glasgow, went on to work two jobs including as an agency cleaner and has been living in the UK on a graduate visa, his defence said.
Background to the alleged attack and next steps
Chukwurah travelled to London from Scotland, where he lives and has family, to visit Uguanya, of Enfield, north London. The two men were in the same nightclub as the alleged victim “and his crew”, but there was “no particular interaction” between the groups until they left the club at about 4am, the prosecution said.
Both defendants remain in custody and are due to stand trial on February 1 next year.
