Balham tragedy: UK police charge suspect with murder of Nigerian James Gbadamosi

The Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom has confirmed the arrest and arraignment of a 37-year-old man, Andre Wright-Walters, over the killing of a Nigerian, James Gbadamosi, aged 67.

In a statement issued on Monday, the police said Gbadamosi was violently attacked on Balham High Road on Sunday, August 24, at about 4:00 p.m. He sustained severe injuries and was immediately taken to hospital by emergency responders. Despite medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries on Friday, September 5.

“Police were called to reports of an assault in Balham High Road around 15:40 hours on Sunday, 24 August. A 67-year-old man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and, sadly, he died in hospital on Friday, September 5. He has been formally identified as James Gbadamosi,” the statement read.

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Wright-Walters had initially been arrested in August and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, alongside possession of a Class A drug. He appeared before Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on August 28, where he was granted bail pending further hearings.

Following Gbadamosi’s death, the suspect was rearrested on Saturday, September 6, and later charged with murder.

He was arraigned before Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 8.

The police also disclosed that a second suspect, a 30-year-old woman, is under investigation. She was first arrested on August 27 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, and later rearrested on September 6 over alleged conspiracy to commit murder. She has since been released on bail as inquiries continue.

Detectives say investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack and subsequent death of Gbadamosi.