A second Nigerian resident in the United Kingdom has been remanded in custody in connection with the death of a fellow Nigerian, Taiwo Ekerin, following an alleged assault in Lewisham, London.
The UK Metropolitan Police disclosed on Tuesday that 34-year-old Chibueze Chukwurah was charged with murder after his arrest on June 5 as investigations into the incident continue.
According to the police, officers were initially called to Lewisham High Street at about 4:40 a.m. on May 24 following reports of an altercation.
Ekerin sustained serious injuries during the incident and later died on May 30.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said Chukwurah, who resides on Royston Road in Glasgow, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 8 after being charged on June 7. The court subsequently remanded him in custody pending his next appearance at the Old Bailey on June 10.
The development comes days after another suspect, 32-year-old Maxwell Oguanaya, was also remanded over the same case.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s twin brother, Kehinde Ekerin, described the incident as a devastating loss for the family, saying Taiwo died after an unprovoked attack during a night out.
In an appeal launched to raise funds for funeral expenses, Kehinde said the late Ekerin was a devoted father, loving son, brother and friend whose death had left a deep void in the lives of those close to him.
He noted that Taiwo, born on December 25, 1984, was widely admired for his kindness, warmth and sense of humour, adding that his daughter now faces life without her father.
The family said it is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.