A Nigerian woman described as a “Devout Christian” was killed in London by a Muslim ex-boyfriend for opposing his moves to get their young daughter converted to Islam. Esther Arogundade, 32, was attacked by kitchen porter Shola Adebiyi (also a Nigerian), who stabbed her 13 times in her own home after she began a relationship with another man.

Yesterday, Adebiyi was jailed for life for the murder. Reporting on the incident, Britain’s Daily Mail said after the murder, Adebiyi drank oven cleaner in an attempt to kill himself and phoned Esther’s new lover to say he would never see her again before confessing to the killing to a friend.

“Police broke into the mother-of-two’s home in Salford, Greater Manchester, and found KFC worker Esther lying dead on the kitchen floor with multiple stab wounds to her back and front.

Adebiyi was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for a minimum of 20-and-a-half years after admitting killing her,” the paper reported.

The court heard how Esther began dating Adebiyi in 2007 and that they later had a daughter now aged two but split up last year after a series of rows.

Rob Hall prosecuting said: “These arguments were ignited by differences of opinion over the religion of their daughter - the defendant wanted her to convert from Christian to Islam, but Esther was a church goer. There were arguments about expenses, bills and childcare.”

The court heard that last March Esther, who also had a nine-year-old daughter living in Nigeria from a previous relationship began a friendship with another man named in court as Mr. Alabi.

“While visiting family in Africa Mr. Alabi received a sinister phone call from Adebiyi, claiming he would be killed if he returned to the UK. Mr. Alabi told Esther about the call and she spoke to Adebiyi but he initially denied it,” the report said.

Passing sentence Judge Andrew Gilbart QC told Adebiyi: “Your relationship had come to an end with frequent disagreements and rows between the two of you. She formed a relationship with another man. You resented it, and tried to warn him off with threats. She let you know that she no longer wanted to be with you and wanted to pursue a relationship with another man.

“You were most upset at that prospect. She sought friendship elsewhere, including in an affair with another man. You were understandably upset but let me be clear about this. Many men and women have to endure the discovery that the husband, wife or partner is no longer content with the relationship they have. Many are jealous or unhappy. But what the law cannot and will not permit is the use of violence, which is what you used.”

After the case Senior Investigator Andrew Tattersall of Greater Manchester Police said: “The biggest tragedy here is that a young girl has now been deprived of both her parents. Her mother was taken from her in a vengeful, violent attack and no sentence today can bring her back.”

•Photo: Late Esther Arogundade.

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