A man accused of giving false statements to police about the murder of a father who was stabbed in the heart while out celebrating his birthday has denied perverting the course of justice.
Emmanuel Odunlami, 32, of Romford, was killed in the early hours of May 2 near St Paul’s Cathedral after a group of killers chased and attacked him.
Antonios Kfoury allegedly deleted phone messages and encouraged a potential witness to provide a false account after the killing.
Kfoury, 21, appeared at the Old Bailey today and denied committing an act or series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice between May 1 and 14.
Antonios Kfoury (not pictured) has denied giving false statements to police about the murder of 32-year-old father Emmanuel Odunlami (pictured). Mr Odunlami was was stabbed in the heart on May 2 while out celebrating his birthday at a restaurant in the City of London
Wearing a black t-shirt and jeans Kfoury, of Ealing, denied committing a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.
He was accused of providing a false statement to police about events on May 1 and 2, omitting the name of Kay Brown, also known as Kavidnu Hettiaracchi.
He allegedly deleted phone messages and told others what to say about what happened on the evening.
Kfoury is also said to have encouraged a potential witness to provide a false account to police on 13 May.
He was bailed ahead of a trial at the Old Bailey on a date to be confirmed.
He must reside at his own address every night and not contact any of the defendants in Mr Odunlami’s murder case.
Kfoury, 21, appeared at the Old Bailey today (pictured) and denied committing an act or series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice between May 1 and 14
Four men are facing trial over the killing of Mr Odunlami, from Romford, east London. They are all due to face trial on March 6.
Jordell Menzies, 25, of Queen’s Park, and 26-year-old Quincy Ffrench-Yethman, of Tottenham, have denied murder.
Louis Vandrose, 32, of Islington, denied murder, manslaughter, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Kavindu Hettiarachi, 29, of Harrow, denied manslaughter, robbery, and two counts of possession of a false ID document.
Kfoury is not a defendant in the murder trial.
