The charging of a 17-year-old boy with the murder of Nigerian national John Onetufo in south-east London has triggered growing criticism online over the silence of senior UK political figures of Nigerian descent, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Tuesday that the teenage suspect was formally charged with murder on Monday, January 5, 2026, following the fatal stabbing of Onetufo, 23, on Grove Street, Lewisham, on December 31, 2025.
Onetufo was found with multiple stab wounds to the chest after police responded to an emergency call. Despite efforts by paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
While the case has continued to draw attention within Nigerian communities in the UK and abroad, critics on social media have questioned the lack of public reaction from Badenoch, who has previously spoken forcefully on violent crimes involving Nigerians or immigrants.
Several commentators argue that if a Nigerian had been the suspect rather than the victim, there would have been swift political commentary, describing the current silence as “selective outrage.”
As of the time of filing this report, Kemi Badenoch has not issued any public statement on the killing of John Onetufo.
Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend of the Metropolitan Police described the murder charge as a significant development but stressed that investigations are ongoing.
“This is a major step, but our inquiry remains active as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened,” Townsend said, while extending condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
Police also confirmed that two other suspects earlier arrested in connection with the case—a 23-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman—have been released on bail pending further investigations.
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