By Three men have been handed life sentences by Snaresbrook Crown Court for the brutal murder of 25-year-old Hamza Iqbal in London, United Kingdom. Joshua Oladele, believed to be of Nigerian origin, Micah Hines, and Ali Alamiri were convicted in what the court described as a “punishment killing” stemming from gang rivalry.
The incident, which occurred on September 24, 2023, saw Hamza Iqbal ambushed and stabbed 23 times in a vicious attack. The court heard that the assault was a revenge attack orchestrated by 28-year-old Dontae Smicle, who had been stabbed 11 days earlier and believed Iqbal’s group was responsible.
In delivering the judgment on Wednesday, Honorary Recorder of Redbridge, Judge Rosa Dean, sentenced Oladele to life with a minimum term of 28 years, Hines to 25 years, and Alamiri to 24 years. The court noted that Smicle, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, has since fled the country.
The horrific details of the crime were laid bare during the trial. On the evening of the attack, Smicle spotted Iqbal and his friends and called Oladele, described as a known drug runner since the age of 13, to exact revenge. The three convicted men, wearing hoodies and balaclavas, were seen by an eyewitness psyching each other up before launching their deadly assault.
As Iqbal and his friends attempted to flee, Oladele pursued Iqbal, stabbing him repeatedly even as he lay defenseless on the ground. Hines then joined in, inflicting further wounds. The brutality of the attack was emphasized by Judge Dean, who lamented the terror Iqbal must have experienced in his final moments.
The court rejected the attackers’ claims that they only intended to scare Iqbal’s group under Smicle’s orders. Judge Dean remarked, “None of you have shown any remorse during the trial. Everything you’ve done has been to try to save yourselves and downplay your responsibility. While the plan may have been Smicle’s, you were all ready and willing to carry it out.”
Iqbal’s devastated family described him as a devoted family man and an ardent Arsenal football fan. In a statement, they said, “Hamza was football crazy. He might not have been the best player, but his love for Arsenal was unmatched.” Tragically, Iqbal was on his way to watch an Arsenal game when he met his untimely death.
The case has shed light on the ongoing issue of gang violence in London and the devastating impact it has on communities. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies to combat gang-related crimes and the need for more robust preventative measures.
As the convicted men begin their life sentences, the hunt for Dontae Smicle continues. His flight from the country adds another layer of complexity to the case and highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in bringing all perpetrators of such violent crimes to justice.
Credit: Punchng.com
