Chukwuemeka Ahanonu has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Nila Patel in Leicester.
The 24-year-old was convicted at Leicester Crown Court after attacking the 56-year-old woman on June 24, 2025, shortly after crashing his car while under the influence of cannabis.
According to Leicestershire Police, Ahanonu had been driving dangerously through the city centre, swerving across lanes and running red lights before the crash. He then fled the scene and assaulted Patel, who was walking home after getting off a bus.
She sustained severe injuries, including a fractured skull and brain trauma, and died two days later.
Police said cannabis worth over £3,000 and three mobile phones were recovered from his car at the time of arrest. Ahanonu had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and assaulting an emergency worker.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts described the incident as a “violent and random attack,” noting that the victim was unknown to the suspect and was simply on her way home when she was attacked.
In a separate case, Francis Ogbuefi and Steven Silvester were sentenced to a combined 16 years in prison in Ireland for their roles in a global money laundering scheme, following an investigation by the country’s economic crime authorities.
