A man who stabbed his business associate to death in south London has been jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years.
Ben Wazabanga, 24, killed Ayowale Aladejana outside his home in Monson Road, New Cross, after travelling more than 50 miles to confront him with two small children in the car.
Southwark Crown Court previously heard Mr Aladejana, 26, had set up a car rental business, with Mr Wazabanga and his partner, Ronique Belfon, joining as investors.
In the weeks before his death, Mr Wazabanga and Mr Aladejana had a falling out over money invested into the scheme, as the business failed and ran up debts.
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On August 2 2025, Mr Wazabanga armed himself with a hunting knife as he and Ms Belfon travelled from Bedford to south London.
The court heard the couple made the journey with two small children in the car, with the youngsters being present in the vehicle as the murder unfolded a short distance away.
Mr Wazabanga was found guilty by a jury of murder in June, and on Tuesday he was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life with a minimum term of 24 years.
Ben WazabangaPAHe had pleaded guilty to having an article with a blade or a point at a hearing in October 2025 and later admitted breaching a suspended sentence.
He was given concurrent sentences of 18 months and 12 months respectively for both.
Appearing at court by video-link from prison, Mr Wazabanga listened to the sentencing quietly, either sitting up or leaning with his chin resting on his hands on a table.
Ms Belfon, 23, was cleared of murder, having told the trial that she had no idea her partner was armed with a knife or intent on violence.
Prosecutor James Brown KC told the court Mr Wazabanga stabbed Mr Aladejana in the chest, during a daytime confrontation which was partially captured on a ring doorbell camera.
He fled after the stabbing before briefly returning to retrieve the mobile phone he had dropped, then leaving in the car Ms Belfon was driving.
Mr Brown told jurors Wazabanga had a “real axe to grind against Mr Aladejana”, having put up money for vehicle repairs for the business.
Messages aired at trial show the escalating efforts by Wazabanga and Ms Belfon to recoup their losses and get hold of Mr Aladejana.
Wazabanga claimed to have acted in self-defence when stabbing Mr Aladejana, but the court also heard evidence that he had habitually carried a knife for around seven years.
Ayowale AledejanaMet PoliceA statement from Mr Aladejana’s mother, Lola Paul, was read to the court, in which she described her son as a “kind soul” who “always wanted to help people”.
She said: “Ayowale was a popular young man, he had lots of friends and was well liked. A mother should never have to bury their child.”
Katelyn Edwards, Mr Aladejana’s partner, said: “The trauma of what happened has deeply affected my mental health. My partner was taken from us in the most violent way.”
Judge Martyn Levett said: “Once more the carrying of a knife and the use of it is another grim illustration of how knife crime is blighting the streets of the UK.”