Author: Gist Correspondent

A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Adedapo Adegbola, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Stephanie Irons, following the end of their brief relationship.

Adegbola was convicted by Nottingham Crown Court for fatally stabbing Irons in the neck at her home in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, on October 21. The court heard that he had become obsessed with the victim and carefully planned the attack after she ended what the judge described as a controlling relationship.

On Thursday, the court ordered Adegbola to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before being eligible for parole, following his guilty plea to the charge of murder last month.

In an emotional statement read in court, Irons’ mother said she was devastated by the loss of her daughter, describing her as compassionate, caring and someone who “lit up the room” and always sought to make the world kinder. Her remarks were quoted by the BBC.

Delivering judgment, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Adegbola had refused to accept the end of the relationship, noting that his controlling behaviour ultimately led Irons to walk away.

The court heard that on October 15, Adegbola purchased two knives before travelling to Irons’ residence six days later, where he stabbed her multiple times, inflicting the fatal wound to her neck.

Prosecuting, Peter Joyce KC told the court that Adegbola sent screenshots of sexually explicit messages from Irons’ phone to some of their colleagues, an act believed to have taken place after her death.

Investigators said Adegbola remained at the scene while Irons lay dying before fleeing with her phone and house keys. He later disposed of his clothing and the murder weapon before turning himself in to police in Hull on October 22. He subsequently pleaded guilty to murder in January.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson commended the victim’s family for their courage and resilience, reading a statement on their behalf in which they described Irons as a “beautiful daughter and shining light” whose loss had left an irreplaceable void.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 40-year-old woman, Mary Onolunosen, has been charged with assisting an offender. She is scheduled to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on March 6.