The conviction and sentencing of Adedapo D. Adegbola, a Nigerian national in the United Kingdom, for the killing of his work colleague in Nottingham has continued to provoke deep reflection within the Nigerian diaspora.

The case, which involved the fatal stabbing of a young woman in her early twenties, shocked many not only because of the violence involved, but because those who knew the accused described him as quiet, law-abiding and focused on building a future in the UK.

One of those voices is Baron Chymaker, a UK-based Nigerian lawyer, who has now offered a detailed reflection on his personal involvement with Adegbola and the advice he gave after visiting him in prison.

“This One Was Close to Home”

When the news first broke in November 2025, Chymaker publicly expressed disbelief and sadness, stating that he had known Adegbola personally and had assisted him since his arrival in the UK.

At the time, Chymaker said Adegbola had suddenly gone quiet and stopped responding to messages. He applied to visit him at HMP Nottingham, determined to hear directly from him and understand what had happened.

“It was important I speak to him myself,” Chymaker said then, adding that he felt a duty to support him through the legal process while seeking clarity.

Following Adegbola’s sentencing in February 2026, Chymaker disclosed that he had spent over two hours speaking with him during a prison visit — the first time they had met physically.

According to Chymaker, Adegbola gave a detailed account of events surrounding the killing, including facts he had not fully disclosed to his legal team. What he heard left him “shocked, disappointed and very sad”.

Chymaker was clear that personal familiarity did not change his professional or moral position.
“Those who know me can attest that I will not support any unlawful behaviour,” he stated.

Based on what Adegbola told him, Chymaker said he advised an early guilty plea, outlining several factors that, in his legal assessment, made a trial untenable:

- The victim was a 23-year-old woman whose death resulted from violence.
- The age gap between the accused and the victim would weigh heavily with a jury.
- The knife used was purchased days earlier and carried routinely.
The knife was taken deliberately to the victim’s flat.
- After the attack, the victim was left bleeding in her room, the door locked, and the key discarded.
- Claims of suicidal intent were unsupported by medical or psychiatric evidence.

Chymaker warned that proceeding to trial could result in a sentence of 32–35 years, effectively ending Adegbola’s life outside prison. An early guilty plea, he explained, could reduce the sentence by up to a third.

Chymaker addressed interpretations of his initial reaction, clarifying that his early comments were not a defence of Adegbola’s actions, but an expression of shock based on the person he believed he knew before the crime.

He said his involvement was driven by a desire to understand the facts, ensure proper legal advice, and encourage honesty with legal counsel.

“I did not see what a new legal team could do differently,” he said, adding that prolonging proceedings would only deepen the suffering of the victim’s family.

While acknowledging the devastation faced by Adegbola’s family, Chymaker was unequivocal that the greatest loss is that of the victim and her loved ones.

“A promising young woman is dead. Her family is in severe pain. David will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison.”

He described the case as a stark reminder that migration success, education or career prospects offer no protection from the consequences of violence under UK law.

Chymaker concluded with a broader warning to young people newly arrived in the UK, particularly those navigating relationships, workplace dynamics and mental health challenges.

Under UK law, he stressed, there is zero tolerance for violence, regardless of emotional distress, rejection or personal crisis.

“If you are feeling depressed or overwhelmed, seek medical help immediately,” he advised, warning that a single moment of loss of control can permanently destroy multiple lives.