A pair allegedly murdered a business contact following a more than 50-mile drive with two young children in their vehicle to address unpaid debts, as revealed in court. Ben Wazabanga, 24, and Ronique Belfon, 23, stand accused of the killing of Ayowale Aladejana outside his residence in Monson Road, New Cross, south London, over financial disputes stemming from a business deal. The Southwark Crown Court learned that the victim, 26-year-old Mr. Aladejana, had initiated a car rental project in which Wazabanga and Belfon had invested. However, before the incident, the accused believed he owed them money and had trouble locating him.
It was disclosed that Wazabanga carried a hunting knife during their journey from Bedford to south London on August 2, 2025, with their one- and two-year-old children in the car. According to Prosecutor James Brown KC, Wazabanga was the one who fatally stabbed Mr. Aladejana in the chest with a knife he had brought to the scene. Belfon reportedly drove Wazabanga to find Mr. Aladejana and parked nearby to witness the confrontation.
Following the stabbing, Belfon swiftly drove Wazabanga away from the scene, briefly stopping to allow him to retrieve his mobile phone. The court was informed that the couple harbored resentment towards Mr. Aladejana over their belief that he owed them money from a troubled business deal. While the defendants deny the murder charge, it was clarified that their intention was not to kill Mr. Aladejana but to address their grievances with him.
The court also learned that Mr. Aladejana had established a car rental enterprise named A2M2, with partners contributing vehicles or funds. Wazabanga had invested in car repairs, while Belfon had obtained two Mercedes through financing for the business. However, Mr. Aladejana allegedly failed to meet financial obligations, causing Belfon financial strain and credit damage. Notably, Mr. Aladejana had transferred all rental vehicles to another company, leading to further tensions with the defendants.
In April last year, Mr. Aladejana expressed his financial distress to his girlfriend and acknowledged the debts owed to the defendants. Belfon corresponded with Mr. Aladejana and his girlfriend about the vehicle situation, highlighting the stress it had caused and the chaotic state of the business plan. Both Wazabanga and Belfon, dressed in casual attire, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial is ongoing.
