A man described as 'composed' has been convicted of murdering a business associate on his South London doorstep following a dispute over car rental debts. Ben Wazabanga, 23, drove 50 miles from his home in Fairfax Road, Bedford, to Monson Road, New Cross, armed with a knife, and fatally stabbed 26-year-old Ayowale Aladejana in the chest.
Wazabanga had two young children in the car during the journey, fuelled by anger to confront Mr Aladejana. On Thursday, June 11, a jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of murder.
Police investigation
Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who led the investigation, said: 'This was a calculated and brutal attack, with Wazabanga driving a considerable distance in order to accost Mr Aladejana at his home and cause him harm. Both the responding officers and subsequent detectives worked tirelessly, examining CCTV and phone data, to piece together the timeline that led to Mr Aladejana’s death.'
She added: 'This was a truly tragic and avoidable incident. We established that Wazabanga alone used the knife to kill Mr Aladejana, and I hope that today’s conviction will bring Mr Aladejana’s loved ones a measure of comfort as they continue to grieve his loss.'
Court evidence
The court previously heard that the pair fell out over a business deal. Jenni Dempster KC, representing Wazabanga, said he drove to Mr Aladejana’s house to have a 'calm' conversation on August 2, 2025. CCTV footage showed Mr Aladejana coming outside, briefly talking with Wazabanga, then heading back inside before returning after about 90 seconds.
Miss Dempster stated that Wazabanga did not shout or 'issue a single threat' while talking to Mr Aladejana, describing him as 'composed' and 'reasonable' while waiting. She told the jury: 'There is nothing about Mr Wazabanga that suggests that he was in an aggressive, violent mood. He remains, you may think, composed. He appears reasonable. He doesn’t for example try and follow Mr Aladejana back into his house. There are no threats at any point, there’s no aggressive movement from Mr Wazabanga at any point.'
Miss Dempster said a scuffle lasting a few seconds occurred on the front path and street outside Mr Aladejana’s house, during which Mr Aladejana put Wazabanga 'in a headlock', prompting Wazabanga to see he had a knife tucked in his waistband. The barrister argued Wazabanga acted in self-defence when he stabbed Mr Aladejana, as he saw him reach for the knife and understood he was in a 'lose-lose situation'. She asked: 'What was Mr Wazabanga supposed to do? What should he have done if not this? Wait and be stabbed?'
Business dispute
Prosecutors previously said the stabbing happened after a 'business arrangement had gone sour' following Wazabanga’s investment in Mr Aladejana’s car rental business, A2M2. The court heard Wazabanga had funded car repairs and believed he was owed £3,000, struggling to contact Mr Aladejana.
How police caught Wazabanga
First Met Police officers at the scene reviewed local CCTV to identify the car that had parked outside Mr Aladejana’s home and fled shortly before they were called. The vehicle details were circulated widely, and the car was later stopped by armed police near Waterloo Bridge.
Despite Wazabanga running from the car with a knife in his hands, officers swiftly arrested him on suspicion of murder. Giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, Wazabanga admitted 'routinely' carrying a knife for the last seven years after being stabbed in his leg and hand, and said he had a combat knife in his pocket as he headed to Mr Aladejana’s home.
Further CCTV enquiries helped detectives piece together the events leading to the attack. Automatic Number Plate Recognition revealed Wazabanga drove from Bedford to New Cross, a 50-mile journey, to confront Mr Aladejana. Phone analysis also confirmed his grievance towards the victim and the plan he had formed.
Wazabanga will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, July 13.
