A Nigerian man, Ayodele Jamgbadi, is facing a murder charge in the United Kingdom over the death of a 61-year-old Elizabeth Line worker, Jorge Ortega, who allegedly died after being punched at Ilford Station in London.
Jamgbadi, 29, of Kingston Road, Ilford, allegedly attacked Ortega on December 4, 2024, after missing a train to Stratford.
The Inner London Crown Court heard that Jamgbadi kicked an advertising frame after missing the train, prompting Ortega and two other Transport for London workers to approach him and try to calm him down.
Prosecutor Patrick Dennis said Jamgbadi initially walked away from the workers before turning back and moving towards Ortega.
“As Mr Ortega retreated backward, the defendant punched him once in the face and that caused Mr Ortega to fall onto the platform and strike his head and that rendered him unconscious,” Dennis told the court.
He added that Jamgbadi “punched Jorge Ortega with significant force”.
Ortega was taken to hospital after the incident but died two days later from a severe traumatic brain injury.
Jamgbadi was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but the charge was upgraded to murder following Ortega’s death.
However, Judge Benedict Kelleher told the jury that Jamgbadi was not fit to enter a plea or stand trial because he was mentally unwell and was receiving treatment in hospital.
The jury is therefore required to determine whether Jamgbadi “did the act” that led to Ortega’s death.
They are also expected to determine whether he threw the punch and whether it was a significant cause of Ortega’s death.
Ortega’s colleague, Mohammed Alim, told the court that he witnessed the attack and that the punch landed near Ortega’s temple.
“Within a split second he swung a punch on Jorge’s left-hand side. The attacker used his right hand,” Alim said.
“It struck Jorge near the temple area. The impact of the punch was with so much force that I saw something fly out of his mouth.
“He was floored. He hit the back of his head.”
Alim said he feared Jamgbadi would attack Ortega again after he fell.
“He went to Jorge,” he told the court, adding that he raised his hands and said, “take it easy”.
Jamgbadi then turned away and left the scene, the court heard.
The prosecution said he pushed through the station barriers without paying before leaving.
Following his arrest, Jamgbadi allegedly told British Transport Police officers: “I punched him in the face, I literally punched him in the face. What are you going to do about it, are you going to nick me?”
A pathologist, Dr Michael Parsons, told the court that Ortega’s head injuries were “entirely consistent with a substantial impact to the back of the head caused by a heavy fall from a standing height”.
He also found bruising and a laceration around Ortega’s right eyebrow and cheek that were “entirely consistent with a punch to the face”.
Ortega, a customer experience assistant with MTREL, which operates the Elizabeth Line, was a member of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union.
His family described him as a loving and selfless man who enjoyed cooking, drawing and art and was devoted to his grandchildren.
His son said: “Our dad was the most loving person, the kindest soul you could have the pleasure of meeting.
“Everyone who has met our dad or who has ever worked with him over the years will tell you this.
“He had a brilliant mind, enjoyed cooking, loved drawing, and was highly skilled in art.
“He was an amazing family man and would always put other people first. He loved his grandchildren, and in turn, they adored our dad.”
The trial continues.
Discussion0