By Babatunji Wusu| A London court has sentenced Fawaz Abdulkareem, a 36-year-old Nigerian man, to life imprisonment for the murder of Daniel Manuel following a violent dispute at a flat in Vauxhall.
The life sentence was handed down at Croydon Crown Court on June 5 after Abdulkareem was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article. The court ordered that he must serve a minimum of 17 years before he can be considered for parole.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the fatal incident took place on July 5, 2025, at a residential building on Bondway. Officers responded to reports of a stabbing in the early hours and discovered Manuel, 32, with severe injuries in the lobby of the apartment block.
Despite efforts by police officers, paramedics and medical personnel to save him, Manuel died at the scene.
Investigators later established that Daniel Manuel and Abdulkareem had spent the evening with friends before returning to the defendant’s flat. Prosecutors told the court that an argument developed between the two men, leading to the fatal attack.
Police arrested Abdulkareem at the scene and charged him the following day. During the investigation, detectives recovered the knife used in the attack after it had been thrown from an upper floor of the building.
Following the trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on both charges, paving the way for the murder conviction and sentencing.
Detective Inspector Luke Hampton, who led the investigation, praised the efforts of officers involved in the case and expressed sympathy for the victim’s family.
“Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family, and we hope this sentence provides them with some measure of comfort,” Hampton said.
In a statement presented after sentencing, Manuel’s wife, Zulal, described her husband as a vital part of her life and spoke about the devastating impact of his death on the family.
The Metropolitan Police said the case reflects ongoing efforts to tackle serious violent crime and secure justice for victims across London.
About Author
