UK Court Hears How £3,000 Debt and Fake Rolex Dispute Preceded Death of Nigerian Student Khaleed Oladipo!
LEICESTER, United Kingdom — A murder trial involving the death of Nigerian student Khaleed Oladipo has opened at Leicester Crown Court, with prosecutors alleging that a dispute over money and a fake Rolex watch preceded the fatal stabbing of the 20-year-old De Montfort University student.
Oladipo died after being stabbed in Leicester on February 3, 2026. His former friend, Harper Dennis, 18, is standing trial accused of his murder. Dennis denies the charges.
The prosecution’s opening case, reported from the court proceedings, alleges that the two young men had previously been friends after meeting through online gaming but later fell out over money that Dennis allegedly believed Oladipo owed him.
Prosecutor Jane Osborne KC told jurors that the dispute included an alleged £3,000 debt and an earlier incident involving a watch that Oladipo had given Dennis to sell. According to the prosecution, Dennis was told that the watch was a fake Rolex and should not be taken to certain jewellers. When he attempted to sell it, the prosecution said, he discovered that it was counterfeit and became angry with Oladipo.
The allegations form part of the prosecution’s explanation of what it says was the background to the fatal confrontation. They have not been independently established as fact, and the defence case remains to be heard in full.
Prosecution outlines alleged history between the two students
The trial, which began at Leicester Crown Court on Monday, is examining the circumstances surrounding Oladipo’s death and the events leading to the confrontation on Oxford Street.
According to the prosecution, Dennis and Oladipo had known each other through online gaming and had been members of the same Snapchat group before their relationship deteriorated.
Osborne told the jury that the prosecution believed the perceived debt was a significant factor in the eventual confrontation.
The court heard that two telephone calls were allegedly made to Oladipo’s girlfriend on Christmas Day 2025. The prosecution said the caller accused Oladipo of owing Dennis £3,000 and warned that action would follow if the money was not paid.
The prosecution also referred to messages allegedly exchanged between the two men after their relationship broke down.
According to the evidence outlined in court, one message sent by Dennis suggested that he would not forget what Oladipo had allegedly done to him. Another message, sent on Boxing Day, allegedly threatened prolonged consequences.
These allegations are being tested through the criminal trial. Dennis is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a jury reaches a verdict.
Fake Rolex allegation becomes central to prosecution narrative
The alleged fake Rolex dispute has attracted particular attention because it provides an apparent link between the earlier disagreement and the later confrontation.
The court was told that Oladipo had allegedly given Dennis a watch to sell, while advising him to avoid particular jewellers because it was not genuine.
The prosecution said Dennis subsequently attempted to sell the watch and was allegedly embarrassed and angered after being told it was fake.
The court has not, however, determined that the watch itself was responsible for the killing. Rather, the prosecution is presenting the alleged incident as part of the background to the deterioration of the relationship between the two students.
The case illustrates the distinction between an allegation made in court and a fact established by judicial determination. As the trial remains ongoing, the claims made by prosecutors must be considered alongside the evidence presented by the defence.
Fatal confrontation lasted only seconds, court hears
The prosecution alleges that the dispute ultimately culminated in a confrontation on Oxford Street, close to De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre, on the evening of February 3.
Oladipo, a cybersecurity student at De Montfort University, was in the area when the confrontation occurred.
According to the prosecution’s opening statement, dashcam footage captured the encounter.
Osborne told jurors that the footage showed what appeared to be a brief struggle between the two men, followed by Dennis allegedly making repeated arm movements consistent with stabbing.
The prosecutor said the confrontation lasted only seconds.
The court heard that Oladipo was stabbed five times in the chest area. One wound, prosecutors said, penetrated his heart and was fatal. A defensive injury was also reportedly identified on his hand.
After the attack, the prosecution said, Oladipo collapsed in the street while Dennis left the scene.
A passing motorist reportedly stopped to assist Oladipo, while emergency services were called. Despite efforts to save him, he died.
Police investigation led to murder charge
Leicestershire Police previously confirmed that Oladipo died after suffering a stab wound to the chest.
Following the killing, detectives arrested Dennis and subsequently charged him with murder.
The defendant also faces weapons-related charges. Earlier reports said he was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts relating to possession of an offensive weapon in private, although the latter allegations were not linked to the murder investigation at the time they were announced.
The case was subsequently listed for trial at Leicester Crown Court.
ITV News Central reported in February that the trial was scheduled to begin on August 10 and was expected to last approximately three weeks. (ITVX)
The trial’s commencement brings the case back into public attention months after Oladipo’s death and allows a jury to examine the evidence surrounding the fatal encounter.
Who was Khaleed Oladipo?
Oladipo was a 20-year-old student at De Montfort University in Leicester. Earlier reporting identified him as a Nigerian student living in Leicester and studying cybersecurity.
His death generated widespread sympathy from his family, university community and members of the Nigerian community.
His family described him as a much-loved son, brother, uncle, boyfriend and friend.
They also spoke about his passion for football. Oladipo was an Arsenal supporter and had reportedly played football from childhood.
His family said they believed he had been on his way home to watch Arsenal play when he was attacked.
The Guardian reported that Oladipo was in his second year of cybersecurity studies at De Montfort University and that his family had paid tribute to him following his death. (The Guardian)
BusinessDay also reported that Oladipo was of Nigerian descent and identified him as a De Montfort University undergraduate who died after being stabbed in Leicester. (Business Day)
Punch Newspapers separately reported the death, identifying Oladipo as a 20-year-old Nigerian student and noting his academic and football interests. (Punch Newspapers)
Family seeks justice as trial continues
Following the killing, Oladipo’s family expressed profound shock and thanked members of the public and emergency workers who attempted to help him.
They also expressed confidence that investigators would establish what happened and bring the person responsible to justice.
The current trial represents the judicial process through which those circumstances are being examined.
For the prosecution, the alleged £3,000 debt and fake Rolex incident are being presented as important elements in understanding the relationship between the two young men and the alleged motive behind the attack.
For the defence, however, the prosecution must prove the murder allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
Dennis has denied the charges, and the trial remains ongoing.
Broader concerns over knife crime involving young people
The case has also renewed attention to knife crime involving young people in Leicester and across the United Kingdom.
Oladipo’s death was raised in the UK Parliament in February, when Leicester South MP Shockat Adam expressed condolences to the family while discussing concerns surrounding knife crime. Hansard records show the MP referred specifically to Oladipo as a young man who had been stabbed in his constituency. (Hansard)
The incident has therefore taken on significance beyond the immediate criminal proceedings, particularly for university communities and families concerned about student safety.
Universities bring together young people from different backgrounds and countries, often far from their families. When violence occurs close to a campus, the impact can extend across the student population and wider community.
De Montfort University previously expressed devastation over Oladipo’s death and offered support to students, staff and his family.
Inquest suspended pending criminal proceedings
An inquest into Oladipo’s death was opened and subsequently suspended while the police investigation and criminal proceedings continued.
BBC reporting carried by Yahoo News said Leicester Coroner’s Court suspended the inquest pending the police inquiry, while confirming that Dennis’s murder trial had been scheduled for August 10 at Leicester Crown Court. (Yahoo)
That separation between the inquest and criminal trial is significant. The criminal proceedings are focused on determining whether Dennis is guilty of the offences with which he has been charged, while the coroner’s process deals with the circumstances surrounding Oladipo’s death.
As the murder trial progresses, evidence from witnesses, forensic examinations, digital communications and video footage is expected to be examined by the court.
Trial remains unresolved
The prosecution’s allegations concerning the alleged debt and fake Rolex provide one explanation for the deterioration of the relationship between Oladipo and Dennis. But the court has yet to reach a verdict.
The evidence presented by the prosecution will be challenged or tested through the defence process, and jurors will ultimately be required to consider all the evidence before reaching a decision.
For Oladipo’s family, the proceedings represent an important stage in their search for answers following the death of a young man they described as deeply loved and full of promise.
For the wider Nigerian community in the United Kingdom, the case has also underscored the vulnerability of young Nigerians living and studying abroad and the importance of community safety.
Wengglobal will continue to follow the proceedings and report developments from the court as they emerge, maintaining the distinction between allegations presented by prosecutors, evidence accepted by the court and facts ultimately established by the jury.
Sources and related reporting
- The Sun — Current reporting from Leicester Crown Court on the prosecution’s allegations concerning the alleged £3,000 debt, fake Rolex dispute and fatal confrontation. (The Sun)
- ITV News Central — Report confirming that Harper Dennis was charged with Oladipo’s murder and that the trial was scheduled for August 10, 2026. (ITVX)
- The Guardian — Report identifying Khaleed Oladipo as a De Montfort University cybersecurity student and detailing his family’s tribute following his death. (The Guardian)
- Sky News — Reporting on the murder charge against Harper Dennis and the circumstances surrounding Oladipo’s death. (Sky News)
- The Independent — Coverage of Dennis’s court appearance and the murder charge following Oladipo’s death. (The Independent)
- Punch Newspapers — Nigerian coverage identifying Oladipo as a Nigerian student and reporting on his death in Leicester. (Punch Newspapers)
- BusinessDay — Report on Oladipo’s death, his Nigerian background and the police investigation. (Business Day)
- BBC News/East Midlands reporting via Yahoo News — Report on the suspended inquest and confirmation of the August 10 trial date. (Yahoo)
