Northampton student jailed for 21 years for murder of fellow undergraduate

Melvin Lebaga-Idubor arranged to meet his victim with the intention of stealing drugs off him, police said

A student has been jailed for a minimum of 21 years for the murder of a fellow undergraduate in a drugs dispute.

Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, 20, stabbed 19-year-old Kwabena Osei-Poku - known as Alfred - near the University of Northampton in April.

Lebaga-Idubor was given a life sentence having been convicted during a trial at Northampton Crown Court last year.

The victim's mother, Joyce Osei-Poku, described her son as "my baby, my precious…my best friend".

During the trial, the court heard there had been a dispute about drugs before the murder and Mr Osei-Poku, from Peterborough, had been robbed of a large quantity of cannabis.

On the night of 23 April, the student was found with serious stab wounds in New South Bridge Road near the university's Waterside Campus. He died at the scene.

Police said that night, Lebaga-Idubor had arranged to meet Mr Osei-Poku under the pretence of wanting to buy cannabis from him.

But, his real intention was to steal the victim's drugs and warn him off dealing on Lebaga-Idubor's patch, the force said.

Kwabena Osei-Poku was found with stab wounds near the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus

The court was told Lebaga-Idubor stabbed Mr Osei-Poku "not once but twice", with the fatal injury being a "stab wound to the neck".

Lebaga-Idubor, from Abbey Road in Barking, east London, was convicted of murder and having a bladed article in a public place.

He was also sentenced to three years - to run concurrently - for carrying a weapon in public.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Osei-Poku said: "Alfred was such a loving soul. My first true love."

She said that, when he died, "my heart was ripped from inside of me".

Kwabena Osei-Poku's parents, Ken and Joyce, spoke outside court saying he helped others in the local community

His brother Aaron described Mr Osei-Poku as a "cool and amazing person".

"Alfred was the definition of a perfect older brother. He would do anything to keep us safe. I would cling to him like he was my parent. Alfred was the person who brought us all together," he said.

"He was a third parent and will never be replaced. I'm not sure we will ever get over the loss of Alfred."

During sentencing, judge David Herbert KC told Lebaga-Idubor: "You were aggressive and snatched the bag of drugs.

"I am not sure you intended to kill him; however, you intended really serious injury at least."

The judge said this was "sadly another case… highlighting the dangers of young people who are prepared to carry a knife in public… anyone who does so stands only a short step from murder".

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