A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a Nigerian man who died following an alleged assault in south-east London, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Police said 32-year-old Maxwell Oguanaya appeared before Ealing Magistrates’ Court after being charged with the murder of 41-year-old Taiwo Ekerin.
Officers were called to Lewisham High Street last month following reports of an altercation and found Mr Ekerin with a serious head injury.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers attended the scene and discovered a 41-year-old man with a serious head injury. He was treated at the scene by colleagues from the London Ambulance Service and taken to hospital. Last month, he was sadly pronounced dead.”
The force later identified the victim as Taiwo Ekerin and said specialist officers are supporting his family.
Police confirmed that Oguanaya, of Eastfield Road, Enfield, was arrested on suspicion of murder earlier this month before being charged the following day.
“Maxwell Oguanaya, 32, of Eastfield Road, Enfield, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was charged and appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on the same day. He was remanded in custody and will next appear this week,” the statement said.
The Metropolitan Police also revealed that a second man, aged 34, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody while investigations continue.
Detectives have not yet disclosed the circumstances surrounding the altercation that led to Mr Ekerin’s death.
Meanwhile, the victim’s twin brother, Kehinde Ekerin, described the incident as an “unprovoked attack” while launching a fundraising appeal to support funeral arrangements.
“It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we share the passing of our beloved Taiwo Ekerin, who tragically lost his life following an unprovoked attack during a night out,” he wrote on a GoFundMe page.
He described Mr Ekerin as a devoted father, brother and friend whose death has left “an unimaginable void” in the lives of those close to him.
“Above all, Taiwo was a devoted father to his daughter, who now faces the future without her dad. He was known for his warmth, kindness, sense of humour, and the love he gave so freely to those around him,” the appeal stated.
The family is seeking public support to help cover funeral costs and give him “the dignified farewell he deserves”.
At the time of writing, more than £3,700 had been raised towards a £10,000 target.
The case comes amid growing concern over violent attacks involving members of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, a jury at Norwich Crown Court found 28-year-old Benjamin Katabana guilty of murdering Nigerian student Uchenna Okirie following a fatal stabbing at shared accommodation in Norwich, England.
