Murder suspect could stand trial next year for killing of ex-UEA student
Benjamin Katabana has been charged with murder following the death of Ucheena Okirie in shared student accommodation in Norwich.
The stabbing happened at Somerleyton House, an accommodation for both students and professionals (Image: Newsquest/Submitted)
Police were called to Somerleyton House, off Unthank Road, at 5.22am on November 22 to reports that a man had suffered a suspected stab wound.
A murder investigation was launched after Mr Okirie, who was in his 30s, died from a single stab wound to the chest.
Katabana, a Congolese national, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday after being charged with murder.
Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)
The 27-year-old of Somerleyton Street, Norwich, wore a greenish top when he appeared at court via videolink from Norwich Prison.
A potential date of May 18 next year was pencilled in for a trial expected to last between five and seven days by Judge Alice Robinson.
A plea and trial preparation hearing (PTPJH) will take place on January 30 next year.
Katabana spoke only to confirm his details during the short hearing.
Benjamin Katabana studied at Hewett Academy and is a basketball enthusiast (Image: Submitted)
Chris Youell appeared for the prosecution while John Morgans represented Katabana.
Ucheena Okirie died from a single stab wound to his chest (Image: Facebook)
Mr Okirie, a Nigerian national who was also known as Uche, was formerly a post-graduate student at the University of East Anglia's School of International Development.
Ucheena Okirie was a former post-graduate student from Nigeria (Image: Facebook)
Speaking after an initial court hearing at Norwich Magistrates Court on Monday, Katabana's father Fabrice said the family including his then 10-year-old son had arrived in the UK in 2010.
They had fled from the war-ravaged Goma region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the Gateway Protection Programme, the then government programme that offered a legal route for up to 750 refugees to settle in the UK each year.
Goma has been a central flashpoint in a prolonged conflict, most notably involving the M23 rebel group, with fighting creating one of the world's deadliest humanitarian crises.
Mr Katabana said his son had completed an apprenticeship after leaving school in Norwich.
He said he was a skilled basketball player and had started a new job working at a chocolate factory last week.
“We feel so sorry for the man who died and his family. It is extremely sad," Mr Katabana said.
A police cordon was put in place and other occupants of Somerleyton House - which houses both students and professionals - were temporarily moved from their homes as part of the forensic investigation.
A UEA spokesman said: “Checks of our student records identified a handful of current UEA students residing at Somerleyton House.
"The university has reached out to each of them and will ensure they receive all the support they need.
"We remain committed to supporting all affected students during this difficult time.”
