Danjuma Amodu | January 29, 2026
Nigerians living in Norwich, United Kingdom, have launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate the remains of Uchenna Okirie, fondly known as “Common Man,” who was stabbed to death in his student apartment, off Unthank Road, Norwich, on Saturday morning of November 22nd, 2025.
Okirie, a Nigerian national, was allegedly murdered under circumstances that shocked both the local and wider Nigerian community. A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, 30th of January 2026.
To support the repatriation and burial, the Nigerian Community Norwich created a GoFundMe appeal titled: “Rest in Peace, Uche. Help Us Return Him to His Family.”
As of Wednesday, the fundraiser had gathered £1,149 out of its £7,000 target, with 67 donors contributing.
In the appeal, organisers described Okirie as a compassionate and selfless young man whose life was defined by service to others.
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Uchenna Okirie, fondly known by many as ‘Common Man’. Uche was tragically stabbed to death in his home. He was a remarkable soul, steady, genuine, and deeply compassionate,” the message read.
The community noted that Okirie completed an MSc in Development Economics at the University of East Anglia during the 2021/2022 academic year, where he also served as an international student ambassador.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has released a statement expressing their shock and sadness over the murder of Uchenna Okirie, a former postgraduate student. UEA confirmed that Okirie had successfully completed his MSc in Development Economics in September 2022 and offered condolences to his family, friends, and those affected by the tragedy.
He was widely known for supporting newly arrived international students.
“When friends arrived in the UK with nowhere to stay, he opened his home without hesitation… When someone needed help setting up a bank account, searching for a job, or navigating a new environment, Uche showed up,” the organisers wrote.
They added that his calmness, honesty, and willingness to put others first made him a quiet pillar of support, remembered for his “unique smile, quiet generosity, and habit of placing others’ comfort above his own.”
The Nigerian Community Norwich said Okirie left behind a network of friends, coursemates, and colleagues whose lives were deeply touched by his kindness. Funds raised will be used to transport his body to Nigeria and support funeral arrangements, as Okirie had no immediate family in the UK.
“This is our way of giving back to someone who gave so freely of himself. No contribution is too small, and every donation brings us closer to giving Uche the farewell he deserves,” the organisers added.
The University of East Anglia has also assured support for its students residing at Somerleyton House, where the incident occurred, and is working to ensure they receive the necessary help. UEA’s spokesperson stated, “Checks of our student records identified a handful of current UEA students residing at Somerleyton House. The university has reached out to each of them and will ensure they receive all the support they need.”
