Putney Arrest in Boxing Champ Murder Case

Man detained in relation to shooting of James Oyebola

A man was arrested this Tuesday in Putney in connection with the murder of a former British heavyweight boxing champion.

The twenty two year old man was the second person to be arrested in relation to the killing James Oyebola (pictured right) outside a Fulham night club. He was taken into custody at 3.15 in the afternoon. A 19 year old man was arrested on Saturday but was bailed to return in August pending further enquiries. A third man was arrested at Gatwick airport on Wednesday.

Mr. Oyebola, who was from the Paddington area, had been working with the security team at the Chateau 6 club when at 12.55am on 23rd July he was shot in the head and leg. He was taken to Charing Cross hospital but a few days later his life support machine was turned off last Friday.

There appears to have been some sort of altercation between three men and security following a disagreement over smoking in the covered courtyard at the rear of the premises. Police believe that James attempted to intervene and assist security when he was shot. The suspects are described as three black men, between 18 and 25 years old. They were seen to leaving the club on foot.

James was known as 'Big Bad' because of his 6ft 9" frame but his friends described him as a gentle giant. Born in Nigeria he represented England in the 1986 Commonwealth Games where he lost to Lennox Lewis. He won 18 of his 23 professional fights before retiring in 1996.

An incident room has opened under DCI Scott Wilson who is part of the Trident operation. Anyone with information is urged to the incident room on 020 8733 4704; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

August 2, 2007