Man jailed for 30 years for murder of Avodeji Habeeb Azeez in Bromley

A killer has been sent to jail for a minimum of 30 years for his part in the death of a driver who was stabbed 16 times.

Two men and a teenage girl plotted to lure the driver to rob him and were convicted over their part in his killing.

Kevin Lusala, 23, of Eldred Drive, Orpington was convicted of murder and of conspiring to rob Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22 – an offence he was further jailed for 12 years for, the sentences to run concurrently.

Lusala was found guilty of fatally stabbing Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22, on Sunday, November 4 last year in a car park at the rear of Grace Mews in Bromley.

Chaise Gray 24, of Harding Court, Lancaster Road, South Norwood, and a 17 year-old girl, who was 16 at the time, were found guilty of conspiracy to rob, but not of the murder charge they both faced.

Gray was sentenced to 10 years in prison and the teenage girl – who had arranged the meeting – to a three-year youth referral order.

Ayodeji had left his home in Dagenham, east London at around 11am that day and drove his blue BMW to Anerley.

He had been tricked into thinking he was meeting up with the girl, but instead a group of young men were waiting to rob him. Lusala was one of them, armed with a large knife.

They attacked Ayodeji while he was still in his car, overwhelming him in the process.

Lusala stabbed Ayodeji multiple times before Gray took to the wheel of the victim’s car and drove away with it towards Marlow Road before abandoning it a few streets later.

Ayodeji managed to leave the scene in the opposite direction, shouting for help.

He staggered to an address in Samos Road, where he managed to alert the occupants before collapsing.

Police and paramedics, including medics from London’s Air Ambulance, were called at 12.30pm but were unable to save him, and Ayodeji was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 1pm.

Met officers found Ayodeji’s blood at key locations, including at the scene in the car park and on the driver’s seat of his car.

A post-mortem two days later at the Princess Royal Hospital mortuary confirmed Ayodeji was stabbed 16 times across his body by a knife. It also showed Ayodeji had suffered extensive internal and external bleeding.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, who led the murder investigation, said: “The brutal way in which he was attacked is truly shocking.

“Three people have been jailed for their involvement in events that day. Lusala is facing the next 30 years in prison for his role in taking a young man’s life.

“I would again like to thank his family who have shown such courage during the course of the investigation.

“These are a tragic set of events that have resulted in the worst possible outcome – the loss of young man’s life. A grieving family have been deprived of all that Ayodeji may have become.

“Ayodeji was unsuspectingly led to his death that day by someone whom he was hoping to meet as a friend.

“I can’t imagine his horrific realisation to find instead a group of males intent on malicious action.

“I would like to thank his family who have shown such courage during the course of the investigation.”

If you have information about someone you suspect to be carrying a weapon or involved in criminal activity and you do not want to speak to police, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting the website here.

It is 100 per cent anonymous. They never ask your name and cannot trace your call or IP address.

Young people can also contact the charity Fearless via their website here. They are also independent from police.

They offer advice on where to get support, and let you pass on information about crime 100 per cent anonymously.