A man is accused of murdering his business partner on his doorstep following a dispute over money owed from a collapsed car rental venture. The prosecution alleges that Ben Wazabanga, 24, fatally stabbed Ayowale Aladejana, 26, after travelling over 50 miles with his on-off partner, Ronique Belfon, 23, and two children to confront the victim.
Key takeaways
- Ben Wazabanga allegedly stabbed business partner Ayowale Aladejana over a debt.
- The incident occurred outside Aladejana’s home in New Cross, south-east London.
- Wazabanga claims he acted in self-defence, while Belfon stated she heard him say "It was him or me."
- Both defendants deny murder.
The alleged confrontation
The court heard that the fatal incident took place on August 2, 2025. Prosecutors suggest that Wazabanga and Belfon drove to Aladejana’s home with the intention of confronting him about a business arrangement that had soured. They believed Aladejana owed them money after his car rental business, in which they had invested, failed.
Wazabanga had reportedly contributed funds for car repairs, while Belfon had purchased two Mercedes cars on finance for the business. By the time of the stabbing, Wazabanga claimed he was owed £3,000. Meanwhile, Belfon was allegedly facing pressure from bailiffs regarding unpaid car finance fees, and the couple were struggling to contact Aladejana.
Claims of self-defence and intent
During the trial at Southwark Crown Court, it was revealed that Wazabanga admitted to habitually carrying a knife for seven years and had a combat knife in his possession when they went to Aladejana’s home. He maintained that he used the weapon in self-defence. Ronique Belfon testified that she was unaware Wazabanga was armed and believed they were going to Aladejana’s "for a chat."
Belfon also told the court that she had intended the trip to be a day out with her children, including a visit to her aunt and a restaurant. However, they stopped at Aladejana’s home as she wanted to see if they could locate the two Mercedes cars involved in the business.
The prosecutor, James Brown KC, suggested that the pair may not have set out with the intention to kill Aladejana but rather to "have it out with him about the grievance they had against him."
Ben Wazabanga and Ronique Belfon, both from Bedford, Bedfordshire, have pleaded not guilty to murder. The trial is ongoing.
Sources
- Man ‘murdered business partner on his doorstep in row over debt’, The Telegraph.
