Key Points

• Ben Wazabanga, 23, has been found guilty of murdering his former business associate Ayowale Aladejana, 26, in New Cross, south London
• The killing occurred on 2 August 2025 on Monson Road after a dispute over money
• Wazabanga confronted Aladejana with a knife he had brought from Bedford
• Emergency services including Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service, and London Air Ambulance treated the victim, but he died at the scene from a stab wound to the chest
• Ronique Belfon, 23, was also charged with murder but the current conviction focuses on Wazabanga
• The case was heard at Southwark Crown Court, where it was revealed the attackers drove from Bedford to New Cross
• A post-mortem examination gave a preliminary cause of death as a stab wound to the chest
• Aladejana was from South Norwood, Croydon

New Cross (South London News) June 12, 2026 – A man has been found guilty of killing his former business associate in a dispute over money in south London, marking the conclusion of a high-profile murder case that began with a fatal stabbing in New Cross last year. Ben Wazabanga, 23, was convicted of murdering Ayowale Aladejana, 26, after confronting him with a knife at an address on Monson Road in New Cross.

As reported by the BBC, police were called to the Monson Road address on 2 August 2025 following reports that a man had been stabbed. Metropolitan Police officers, the London Ambulance Service, and the London Air Ambulance rushed to the scene and treated the victim for stab wounds, but despite their efforts, Aladejana died at the scene.

During proceedings at Southwark Crown Court, it was revealed that Wazabanga inflicted a single stab wound to Aladejana’s chest using a knife he had brought along from Bedford.

The court heard that the couple accused of his murder—Wazabanga and Ronique Belfon—drove from Bedford to New Cross in south-east London before the attack.

Who are the victim and the convicted man in this New Cross murder case?

Ayowale Aladejana, the victim, was a 26-year-old man from South Norwood, Croydon. He was killed at his residence on Monson Road in New Cross after being stabbed by his former business associate.

Ben Wazabanga, the convicted man, is 23 years old and resides on Fairfax Road in Bedford. He was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August 2025, and was remanded in custody.

According to the Metropolitan Police, Wazabanga murdered Aladejana after confronting him with a knife during a dispute over money.

Ronique Belfon, also 23 years old and from Morinsbury Road, Bedford, was charged with murder on the same date as Wazabanga. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 4 August 2025.

While both were charged, the current conviction reported focuses on Wazabanga’s guilt in killing Aladejana.

When and where did the fatal stabbing in New Cross take place?

The fatal stabbing occurred on Saturday, 2 August 2025, at 19:26hrs (7:26 PM BST) at a residential address on Monson Road in New Cross, south-east London.

Metropolitan Police officers responded to alerts regarding an individual with stab injuries at the property around 7:30 PM BST.

New Cross is located in south-east London, and the victim, Aladejana, was from South Norwood, Croydon, which is also in south London. The attackers had driven from Bedford, a town outside London, to reach the New Cross location.

What did the post-mortem examination reveal about Ayowale Aladejana’s death?

A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday, 3 August 2025, and gave a preliminary cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. During the Southwark Crown Court proceedings, it was further confirmed that Wazabanga inflicted a single stab wound to Aladejana’s chest using the knife he had brought along.

How did emergency services respond to the New Cross stabbing incident?

When police were called to Monson Road on 2 August 2025, a coordinated emergency response was launched. Metropolitan Police officers, the London Ambulance Service, and the London Air Ambulance all treated the man for stab wounds at the scene.

Despite the efforts of these emergency responders, including the air ambulance team, Aladejana was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that despite their efforts, the victim died at the scene. This rapid response involving multiple emergency agencies highlights the severity of the incident and the critical nature of the stab wounds Aladejana sustained.

What arrests and charges followed the New Cross stabbing?

Two individuals were arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the incident. A 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were detained and remained in custody.

On Monday, 4 August 2025, both were formally charged with murder. Ben Wazabanga, 23, of Fairfax Road, Bedford, was charged with murder and possession of a knife. He was remanded in custody and appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on the same day.

Ronique Belfon, 23, of Morinsbury Road, Bedford, was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August 2025. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the same date. Both individuals have been accused of murder following the fatal stabbing.

What did the court hear about the motive behind Ayowale Aladejana’s murder?

As reported by the BBC, the court heard that Ayowale Aladejana was killed after a business deal “went sour”. The murder occurred during a dispute over money between Wazabanga and his former business associate.

During proceedings at Southwark Crown Court, it was revealed that the attackers drove from Bedford to New Cross specifically to confront Aladejana. Wazabanga had brought the knife along from Bedford, indicating premeditation in the attack.

The Metropolitan Police stated that Wazabanga murdered Aladejana “after confronting him with a knife” during the money dispute.

This confirms that the killing was not spontaneous but resulted from a confrontational dispute over financial matters.

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Background of the New Cross Stabbing Development

The fatal stabbing in New Cross occurred in the context of rising concerns about knife crime and violence in south-east London. The incident on 2 August 2025 marked one of several violent incidents in the New Cross area in recent years.

Ayowale Aladejana, from South Norwood, Croydon, was killed at his residence on Monson Road when Ben Wazabanga and Ronique Belfon drove from Bedford to confront him.

The attackers had brought a knife from Bedford, which Wazabanga used to inflict a single stab wound to Aladejana’s chest.

The Metropolitan Police launched a full investigation immediately after receiving reports of the stabbing at 19:26hrs on 2 August 2025.

Emergency services responded within minutes, with the London Air Ambulance arriving at the scene alongside Metropolitan Police officers and London Ambulance Service crews. Despite receiving treatment for stab wounds, Aladejana died at the scene.

Two arrests were made shortly after the incident, with a 23-year-old man and 23-year-old woman detained on suspicion of murder. By 4 August 2025, both had been formally charged with murder, with Wazabanga also charged with possession of a knife.

The case proceeded to Southwark Crown Court, where evidence was presented showing that the business deal between Aladejana and Wazabanga had “went sour,” leading to the money dispute that resulted in the murder. The court heard detailed testimony about the journey from Bedford to New Cross and the premeditated nature of bringing the knife to the attack.

How will this murder conviction affect south London communities and those concerned about knife crime?

This development can significantly affect south London communities, particularly those in New Cross, South Norwood, and Croydon where the victim lived.

The conviction of Ben Wazabanga for murdering Ayowale Aladejana in a money dispute sends a clear message that premeditated knife violence will result in serious criminal consequences.

For local residents in south-east London, this conviction may provide reassurance that the Metropolitan Police and Crown Court system are effectively addressing violent crime.

The fact that two individuals traveled from Bedford to New Cross specifically to commit this murder, and both were charged and one convicted, demonstrates the thoroughness of the investigation.

Community members concerned about knife crime in south London may view this outcome as evidence that law enforcement is taking serious action against knife possessors and murderers.

The additional charge of knife possession against Wazabanga reinforces the legal stance against carrying weapons.

For families and friends of victims of violent crime, this conviction may offer a sense of closure and justice. Ayowale Aladejana’s community in South Norwood, Croydon, can see that his death was not overlooked and that the legal system pursued those responsible.