Met officer on trial for murder of Chris Kaba to be named

A senior judge has denied anonymity to the officer charged with the murder of Chris Kaba.

The judge – who will be overseeing the upcoming murder trial – ruled today that on January 30, 2024,  the firearms officer currently known only as NX121 will be partially identified.

The officer’s name and date of birth will be revealed to the public, but his address, picture and any detailed description will continue to be protected.

Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “I recognise that for officers this decision will be hugely concerning, and that the impact of this and recent cases is felt right across armed policing and beyond. 

“The Met has supported the anonymity hearing by providing evidence and factual information to His Honour Judge Lucraft KC to assist him in making a decision. 

“We take seriously the open justice principle, however it was important to make the court aware of the effect that loss of anonymity would have in this case. 

“We acknowledge the judgement by the court and note the detailed and careful consideration that has taken place.”

Mr Kaba was killed while unarmed when he was shot through the windscreen of a car in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham on September 5 last year.

Mr Kaba, from Wembley, was also known as rapper Madiz and was part of the MOBO-nominated drill group 67. He was due to become a father before he was shot by police following a car chase.

Officer NX121 was charged with murder in September, with a trial set for September 9 next year.

The charge followed a lengthy homicide investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which passed its file to the CPS in March.

The IOPC confirmed Mr Kaba died after he was struck by a single gunshot fired by an MPS officer into the vehicle he was driving.

Following the completion of its investigation in March 2023, it referred a file of evidence to the CPS, which authorised the murder charge.

Pictured top: Chris Kaba, an expectant father, who was shot and killed after a car chase last year (Picture: The Met)