Fresh evidence uncovered by BBC Panorama suggests that a man who has spent 23 years in prison for murder may have been framed by police.
Omar Benguit was convicted in 2005 for the 2002 killing of South Korean student Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki, who was stabbed while walking home from a nightclub in Bournemouth. Two earlier trials had ended without verdicts before a third jury found him guilty.
Panorama’s latest investigation indicates that officers were aware key prosecution testimony was contradicted by CCTV evidence. Phone records also suggest Benguit may have had an alibi that undermined the central witness account. According to the programme, that information was not properly pursued.
The case against Benguit relied heavily on witness testimony, as there was no forensic or CCTV evidence placing him at the scene. The main prosecution witness, a drug user referred to as BB for legal reasons, claimed she had driven Benguit and two others on the night of the murder. She alleged that after stopping her car, Benguit stabbed Oki when she refused to attend a party.
However, BB had previously made false allegations and changed her account multiple times during the investigation. CCTV checks at locations she said she had visited that night failed to show her, the men, or the vehicle. Footage from a nearby crack house she claimed they visited after the attack also did not support her version of events.
Panorama reports that 13 additional witnesses who supported the prosecution have now told the BBC they were pressured by police to exaggerate or provide false testimony. Two more witnesses have since said they lied in court under pressure, while four others claim officers tried unsuccessfully to persuade them to give inaccurate evidence. In total, the credibility of 15 key prosecution witnesses has now been challenged or undermined.
Retired murder detective Brian Murphy, after reviewing the programme’s findings, said the case warrants investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. He stated that, in his view, the conviction appears unsafe. Benguit’s barrister, Des Jenson, said that if witnesses were coerced, it would amount to manufacturing evidence and perverting the course of justice.
Further questions arise from new alibi material. In 2021, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) began examining the case after CCTV footage emerged showing a man resembling Benguit using a phone box roughly 25 minutes after the murder. Phone records obtained by Panorama indicate a call was made from that phone box to Benguit’s drug dealer at the exact time captured on camera. If confirmed, this would contradict claims that he was at a crack house cleaning up.
The CCRC has noted that 135 CCTV tapes from the original investigation are missing. While it concluded the man in the footage could be Benguit, it said it could not be certain. Panorama reports that police were aware of the potential alibi at the time but did not fully investigate it.
The programme also revisits the role of Danilo Restivo, who lived near the crime scene and was initially considered a suspect. Restivo was later convicted of two separate murders — one in Italy and one in England. Although he was discounted as a suspect in Oki’s case by the Court of Appeal in 2014, Panorama identified CCTV footage of a cyclist near the scene minutes before the attack who could resemble him. Restivo did not respond to the programme’s request for comment.
Now 53 and reportedly drug-free, Benguit maintains his innocence. He would potentially be eligible for parole if he admitted guilt, but says he will not confess to a crime he insists he did not commit.
In response, Dorset Police said the original investigation was thorough and complex. The force noted that Benguit’s conviction has been reviewed by the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his challenges. It added that any further action rests with the CCRC and the courts, and expressed sympathy for the victim’s family.
About the author
La LTPE inspecte 315 écoles du Grand Lomé
À l’approche de la Journée de l’enfant africain, célébrée chaque année le 16 juin, les initiatives se multiplient au Togo pour améliorer le bien-être des élèves dans les établissements scolaires. Cette année, la commémoration est placée sous le thème : « Garantir l’accès universel à l’eau, à l’assainissement et à l’hygiène pour chaque enfant en Afrique ». Un sujet qui met en lumière l’importance des infrastructures sanitaires dans le développement et la protection des enfants. Dans ce contexte, la Ligue togolaise pour la protection de l’enfant (LTPE) a lancé une opération d’évaluation des infrastructures d’eau, d’hygiène et d’assainissement dans 315 établissements scolaires du Grand Lomé. Cette mission vise à dresser un état des lieux des équipements existants afin d’identifier les insuffisances et les besoins prioritaires. Les résultats de cette inspection devraient permettre de proposer des mesures concrètes pour la réhabilitation […]
Degli réclame une enquête après un incident à Kpalimé
Jean Yaovi Degli, président du mouvement d’opposition « Bâtir le Togo », affirme avoir été victime d’un acte de sabotage visant sa résidence située à Kpalimé. Selon ses déclarations, un drone aurait survolé sa propriété en novembre 2025 avant de déverser une substance blanche sur ses installations piscicoles ainsi que sur certaines plantations. L’opposant estime que cet incident serait à l’origine de la mort de plus de 1 300 poissons dans les jours qui ont suivi. Me Degli indique avoir signalé les faits aux autorités compétentes et sollicité l’ouverture d’une enquête afin de déterminer les circonstances exactes de l’incident ainsi que l’origine de la substance en question. Il affirme également que des prélèvements auraient été effectués à deux reprises sur les poissons morts et sur les produits présumés contaminés dans le cadre d’analyses destinées à établir les causes de cette […]
Djamdè définit les priorités du développement togolais
Le séminaire gouvernemental consacré à la transformation économique et sociale du Togo s’est poursuivi ce vendredi 12 juin 2026 à Djamdè, dans la préfecture de la Kozah, sous la direction du Président du Conseil, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. Cette deuxième journée de travaux a été marquée par des réflexions approfondies sur le développement du capital humain et le renforcement des capacités de l’État, deux axes jugés essentiels pour la réussite de la future stratégie nationale de développement. Après avoir examiné les principaux moteurs de la transformation économique lors de la première journée, les membres du gouvernement ont concentré leurs échanges sur les moyens d’améliorer les compétences de la population et d’accroître l’efficacité de l’action publique. Les orientations présentées durant cette rencontre bénéficient du soutien des partenaires techniques et financiers du Togo. La Banque mondiale, qui a participé aux travaux préparatoires et […]
Djamdè mise sur le capital humain pour 2031
Le séminaire gouvernemental organisé à Djamdè sous la présidence de Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé a pris fin vendredi après deux journées de réflexion consacrées aux grandes orientations de la future stratégie nationale de développement du Togo pour la période 2026-2031. Au cours de la dernière journée, les échanges se sont concentrés sur deux axes considérés comme essentiels à la transformation du pays : le développement du capital humain et le renforcement des capacités de l’État. Invité à cette rencontre stratégique, le vice-président de la Banque mondiale pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre, Ousmane Diagana, a souligné l’importance de l’investissement dans les compétences comme moteur de croissance et de développement durable. Selon lui, l’expérience internationale montre que les pays ayant réussi leur transformation économique ont tous placé le capital humain au cœur de leurs politiques publiques. Il a notamment insisté sur […]
Le PAM rassure sur la sécurité alimentaire au Togo
Le Programme alimentaire mondial (PAM) a assuré qu’aucune crise alimentaire majeure n’est actuellement observée dans le nord du Togo, malgré le début de la période de soudure, traditionnellement marquée par une pression accrue sur les réserves alimentaires des ménages. Dans un communiqué publié jeudi, l’organisation onusienne a indiqué que les indicateurs récents montrent une situation globalement favorable sur le plan alimentaire à l’échelle nationale, en particulier dans les régions du nord du pays. Le PAM rappelle que des projections régionales réalisées à la fin de l’année 2025 estimaient que plus de 330 000 personnes pourraient être confrontées à une situation d’insécurité alimentaire entre juin et août 2026. Ces prévisions reposaient toutefois sur des hypothèses qui envisageaient une absence d’amélioration des conditions sur le terrain ainsi qu’un manque d’assistance aux populations vulnérables. Selon les données les plus récentes, plusieurs facteurs ont […]
East Jerusalem Demolitions Raise Displacement Fears
Jerusalem is witnessing a growing wave of Palestinian home demolitions and eviction threats, as Israeli authorities accelerate redevelopment and settlement-related projects in East Jerusalem. In the al-Bustan section of Silwan, just south of Jerusalem’s Old City, demolition crews have destroyed dozens of Palestinian-owned properties since late 2023. Residents say the pace of demolitions has increased significantly while international attention remains focused on conflicts elsewhere in the Middle East. Among those affected is 58-year-old Fayez Awad, whose family home was partially demolished. Sitting in what remains of the property, he described the destruction as the loss of a lifetime of effort. "We spent years building this house," Awad said. "Everything we achieved has been taken away, and we are starting over from nothing." Jerusalem remains one of the most contested cities in the world. Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 […]
Related
US Iran peace deal to be signed Sunday as Hormuz reopens
US President Donald Trump has announced that a deal between the United States and Iran is set to be finalized on Sunday, and that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen right after the agreement is signed. Pakistan, which has been mediating the talks, said a final agreed-upon text of a US-Iran peace deal has been reached, with only next steps needing clarification. The deal is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, extend the current ceasefire, and begin negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. Under the terms of the proposed deal, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to shipping, returning to the situation that existed before the US and Israel launched their recent military action against Iran. The ceasefire is expected to continue for a further 60 days, with conflict ending across multiple fronts including Lebanon. The proposed memorandum of understanding […]
US and Iran to sign peace deal Sunday as Strait of Hormuz opens
The United States and Iran are close to signing a landmark peace memorandum that could mark a major breakthrough in relations between the two nations. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been mediating the talks, announced that a final agreed-upon text of the peace deal has been reached, with only the next steps needing clarification. The deal is expected to be signed on Sunday, June 14, 2026, with Geneva emerging as the most likely venue for the signing. US President Donald Trump has said that a deal between the United States and Iran is scheduled to be signed tomorrow, and that immediately after the agreement is signed, the Strait of Hormuz will be "open to all." The deal is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, extend the current ceasefire, and begin negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. Under the […]
Trump’s name removed from Washington arts centre after court order
President Donald Trump's name has been taken down from the front of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., following a federal court order. Workers began removing the name early Saturday morning, less than six months after it was first installed on the historic venue. The work started around 1:20 a.m. local time, hours after the Department of Justice said the government would miss a court-ordered deadline to take Mr Trump's name off the building. A U.S. District Court judge ruled last month that adding Trump's name to the facade of the Kennedy Center was unlawful, because the institution cannot be renamed without approval from Congress. Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the removal by Friday, June 12, 2026. Crews set up scaffolding on Friday, but thunderstorms delayed the work until early Saturday. Workers covered the scaffolding with plastic […]
Trump confirms World Cup 2026 attendance but will not attend US opening match in Los Angeles
President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but has indicated he will not be present at the United States opening match in Los Angeles. The World Cup tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The United States will play its first match against Paraguay on June 12, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Trump had previously said to reporters that he would attend the first match in the new stadium with his children, but later changed his plans regarding the opening game. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 16 venues throughout the three countries. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, […]
Netanyahu says he and Trump fully agree Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that he and US President Donald Trump are in complete agreement on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Netanyahu made the statement on Friday in a message released by his office following a phone call with Trump about potential negotiations with Iran. "As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said. "There is full agreement between President Trump and me on this issue." Netanyahu emphasized that he has led the international fight against Iran's nuclear programs for more than three decades. He stated that without this struggle, Iran would have obtained nuclear bombs long ago to destroy Israel. He also said that Iran is working to destroy the Jewish state and that he has dedicated his life to preventing them from doing so. While Israel […]
Iran says no final decision on deal while Trump claims imminent agreement with Tehran
Iran has stated that it has not reached a final decision on a deal to end the Middle East war, despite US President Donald Trump claiming that an agreement could be signed in days. The Iranian statement came on Friday, even as Trump announced he had canceled scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran. Trump said that talks with Iran had been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved. He added that the time and place of the signing would be announced shortly. The president claimed that the finer points of the arrangement had been approved by the United States and its allies in the region, including Israel, with which Washington jointly launched the war in February. However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran had not reached a final conclusion on the agreement. He explained that […]