Two charged with church leader’s murder

Two people have been charged with the murder of 76-year-old Nelly Akomah in Croydon.

Akomah was a much loved leader at the Nigeria’s Methodist Mission UK and Ireland.  The lifelong Christian and grandmother died shortly after she was found at the bottom of the stairs at a property on Ladbrook Road, last week.

Hugo Da Silva Pires, 28, of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath was charged on Sunday, (June 25) with murder, burglary and fraud. Catia Feliciano, 31, of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, was charged with fraud and perverting the course of justice.

The pair were arrested at Stanstead Airport on June 23.

Detectives began an investigation after the body of Akomah was found dead at 10.40am on Wednesday, June 21.

Dame Susan Solanke, Lay president of the church, described the 76-year-old’s death as a “big blow” to the congregation, and said her heart was broken by the news.  She said: “It is heartbreaking to us all in NMM to lose such a committed member and soldier of Christ. My heartfelt sympathy goes to her children, family, extended family back home, sister… and other siblings in the UK.

Nelly’s family has been informed of the charges, and police say they will continue to be supported by family liaison officers.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Thursday, 22 June was inconclusive and further tests are taking place to establish a cause of death.

(Picture Courtesy: Metropolitan Police)