A Nigerian man, Ayodele Jamgbadi, has been accused of fatally punching a 61-year-old railway worker, Jorge Ortega, after missing a train at Ilford Station in east London, a court has heard.
Jamgbadi allegedly became angry after missing a train from Ilford to Stratford on the Elizabeth line and began kicking an advertising frame at the station.
The Inner London Crown Court heard that three railway workers, including Ortega, approached Jamgbadi in an attempt to calm him down.
Prosecutor Patrick Dennis told the court that Ortega was moving backwards when Jamgbadi allegedly punched him once in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the platform.
Ortega was taken to hospital following the incident but died from his injuries two days later, on December 6, 2024.
Jamgbadi, who resides on Kingston Road in Ilford, has been charged with murder.
However, Judge Benedict Kelleher told the jury that Jamgbadi is not fit to enter a plea or stand trial because he is mentally unwell and is receiving treatment in hospital.
The jury has therefore been tasked with determining whether Jamgbadi carried out the act that resulted in Ortega’s death.
The court heard that the incident happened at about 8.45pm on December 4, 2024.
Dennis said CCTV footage showed Jamgbadi missing a train bound for Stratford before he started kicking an advertising frame.
“As a result Mr Ortega and two other staff members came out of the office and they effectively tried to calm Mr Jamgbadi down,” the prosecutor told the court, as quoted by the Sun UK.
Dennis said Ortega was stepping backwards when Jamgbadi allegedly punched him in the face.
The blow caused Ortega to fall onto the platform and strike his head, leaving him unconscious.
An ambulance was called and Ortega was taken to hospital, but he died 48 hours later.
The court also heard that Jamgbadi was arrested after the incident.
According to the prosecution, he told British Transport Police officers: “I punched him in the face, I literally punched him in the face.”
He allegedly then asked the officers: “What are you going to do about it, are you going to nick me?”
Jamgbadi was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm. The charge was subsequently upgraded to murder following Ortega’s death.