A 32-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of a Nigerian man who sustained serious injuries during an altercation in southeast London, police said.
The Metropolitan Police identified the victim as Taiwo Ekerin, 41, who died on May 30 after suffering a severe head injury during an incident on Lewisham High Street.
Police said officers responded to reports of an altercation at about 4:40 a.m. on May 24 and found Ekerin critically injured. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to a hospital, where he later died.
“Police were called at around 04:40hrs on Sunday, 24 May, to Lewisham High Street following reports of an altercation,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
Ekerin’s family has been informed, and specialist officers are providing support to his next of kin, police said.
Authorities charged Maxwell Oguanaya, 32, of Eastfield Road in Enfield, with murder after his arrest on June 4.
Oguanaya appeared before Ealing Magistrates’ Court on June 5, where he was remanded in custody pending further proceedings. He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 9.
Police also confirmed that a second man, 34, was arrested on suspicion of murder on June 5 and remains in custody while investigations continue.
Investigators have not released details about the circumstances surrounding the altercation.
In a fundraising appeal, Ekerin’s twin brother, Kehinde Ekerin, described the incident as an unprovoked attack during a night out and appealed for support to help cover funeral expenses.
He said Taiwo was a devoted father, son, brother and friend whose death has left a profound void in the lives of his family and loved ones.
The online fundraising campaign had raised £3,710 toward a £10,000 target as of Sunday.
The case comes days after another UK court found Benjamin Katabana, 28, guilty of murdering Nigerian student Uchenna Okirie following a fatal stabbing at shared accommodation in Norwich, England.
