A Nigerian man, Lekan Akinsoji, and his accomplice, Sundjata Keita, both aged 27 and from Forest Gate, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 21-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah in east London.
Akinsoji, who is also a drill rapper, is to serve a minimum of 28 years, while Keita will serve at least 22 years, following their conviction for murder at the Old Bailey.
The court heard that on April 2, 2017, the duo, dressed in black with balaclavas and gloves, embarked on a planned gang ride-out before chasing Deen-Jah into an off-licence near Custom House station, where Akinsoji fatally stabbed him in the heart.
The victim, popularly known by his street name “Grinna,” was pronounced dead at the scene, just a few metres from his home.
According to prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC, “This killing was not a spontaneous act of violence, but an attack planned against a background of street violence between two east London gangs.”