The couple drove 50 miles with toddlers before fatal stabbing over business debt, court hears
A couple murdered a business associate after driving more than 50 miles with two small children in their car for a confrontation over unpaid debts, a court has heard. Ben Wazabanga, 24, and Ronique Belfon, 23, are accused of killing Ayowale Aladejana outside his home in Monson Road, New Cross, south London, when he owed them money in a “business arrangement gone sour”.
Southwark Crown Court heard Mr Aladejana, 26, had set up a car rental scheme, with Wazabanga and Belfon both involved as investors. But prior to his death, the couple believed he owed them money and were struggling to track him down, it is said.
Wazabanga was armed with a hunting knife, it is said, as he and Belfon travelled from their home in Bedford to south London on the evening of August 2 2025, with children aged one and two in the back of the car.
Speaking of the victim, Prosecutor James Brown KC said: “The person who stabbed him was the first defendant, Mr Wazabanga.
“He stabbed him … in the chest, piercing his heart. Mr Wazabanga used a knife which he had brought to the scene.”
He said Belfon had driven Wazabanga to Bedford “to try and find” Mr Aladejana, and she is accused of parking across the road from his home “to be able to see” the confrontation that ensued.
“After the stabbing, Miss Belfon drove Wazabanga away from the scene, pausing only briefly to allow him to run back and recover his mobile phone,” said Mr Brown.
“Both the defendants, the Crown suggests, had a real axe to grind against Mr Aladejana – they believed he owed them money in a business arrangement gone sour.”
The prosecutor said the couple, who both deny murder, are not accused of setting out to kill Mr Aladejana, but wanted to “have it out with (him) about the grievance they had against him”.
Wazabanga was armed with a knife, the court heard, and Belfon is accused of knowing he was armed.
The court heard Mr Aladejana had set up a car rental business called A2M2, with partners providing either vehicles or investment for the scheme.
Wazabanga had put up money for car repairs, while Belfon bought two Mercedes on finance to be used as part of the business, jurors were told.
Mr Aladejana was supposed to pay off the finance arrangements for the cars with money he took from renters but he was accused of missing payments and sending Belfon into debt, while also damaging her credit rating.
The prosecutor said Mr Aladejana “gave away” all the rental vehicles from his company to another rental company run by a certain “Moey”, around April 2025.
It is said Mr Aladejana told his girlfriend Katelyn Edwards he was “in too much debt”, adding he owed some people money, including the defendants.
Mr Brown said Belfon messaged Mr Aladejana and Ms Edwards about recovering her cars in April last year, saying “it’s all causing unnecessary stress” and that the “whole scheme has been a mess”.
Both defendants appeared in the dock on Tuesday, with Wazabanga wearing a blue sweatshirt and joggers, and Belfon a black and white dress.
Wazabanga and Belfon deny murder. The trial continues.
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