Three men, including Joshua Oladele, believed to be of Nigerian descent, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 25-year-old Hamza Iqbal in London.

The sentencing comes nearly a year after Hamza was ambushed and stabbed 23 times in what was described as a revenge attack.

The deadly incident took place on September 24, 2023, when Hamza, accompanied by friends, was confronted by the trio—Oladele, Micah Hines, and Ali Alamiri—armed with machetes.

The attack was reportedly orchestrated by 28-year-old Dontae Smicle, who believed Hamza’s group was responsible for a prior assault on him. Smicle, who has since fled the country, allegedly directed the men to exact revenge on Hamza.

While delivering its judgment on Wednesday, Snaresbrook Crown Court, sentenced Oladele to life with a minimum term of 28 years, Hines to 25 years, and Alamiri to 24 years. The court noted that Smicle, thought to be the mastermind behind the attack, remains at large.

Hamza Iqbal’s family, devastated by the loss, described him as a devoted family man and an avid Arsenal supporter.

“Hamza was football crazy. He might not have been the best player, but his love for Arsenal was unmatched,” his family shared.

During the trial, the court heard how the attack stemmed from gang rivalry. Smicle, believing Hamza’s group was behind an earlier stabbing that left him injured, spotted them that fateful evening and called Oladele, who had a history of criminal activity dating back to his early teens.

The three men, wearing hoodies and balaclavas, were seen by witnesses psyching each other up before launching the fatal assault.

As Hamza and his friends attempted to escape, Oladele pursued him, stabbing him repeatedly even as he lay defenseless on the ground. Hines then joined in, inflicting further wounds.

Judge Rosa Dean, Honorary Recorder of Redbridge, condemned the attack as a “punishment killing,” expressing sorrow over the terror Hamza must have felt in his final moments.

Dean dismissed the attackers’ claims that they only intended to scare Hamza’s group, stating, “None of you have shown any remorse during the trial. Everything you’ve done has been to try to save yourselves and downplay your responsibility.”

She concluded that while Smicle may have devised the plan, all three men were eager participants in the heinous crime.