Jury rejects Nigerian prince's claims of self-defense

Godson Olayiwola Akran was sentenced to 45 years in prison on April 16, 2024, after a jury convicted him of murdering a friend of his estranged wife in 2018. The 44-year-old Houston man was charged with Murder in the stabbing death of Taofeek Anifata during an argument in his wife’s Katy home.

According to Chief Domestic Violence Prosecutor Sunni Mitchell, on August 16, 2018, Akran went to the home where his estranged wife and children lived in the Tamarron subdivision. Upon entering the home, the defendant, who was intoxicated, began arguing with Taofeek Anifata, a friend of his wife. During the argument, Akran grabbed a knife from the kitchen and ran towards Anifata and stabbed him two times. Anifata was unarmed.

The defendant then fled the scene on foot after calling 911 and was picked up at the neighborhood clubhouse by a friend. A witness flagged down police and told them Akran was hiding near the clubhouse before getting into a car. Officers from the Fulshear Police Department quickly located the vehicle and detained the defendant.

During trial, the jury heard from Akran’s wife and her 13-year-old son about the violent attack. The jury also heard from a witness who was living in the home as a nanny for the defendant’s two young children, ages 4 and 2. All three of these witnesses testified that the defendant stabbed the victim multiple times with a knife. Evidence presented during the punishment phase revealed Akran had a prior federal conviction for Fraud.

Prosecutor Sunni Mitchell said, “Akran claimed self-defense, but the jury’s decision to convict him after an hour of deliberation effectively rejected that claim. And taking the same amount of time to decide a punishment of 45 years – that’s a solid statement against this kind of behavior.”

“This violent crime occurred in the presence of three young children who were awakened by the defendant in their home,” said District Attorney Brian Middleton. “I can’t imagine their fear of the defendant and what he might do in the future. What I do know is that he won’t be getting out of prison for many years, if ever. I hope that is some small comfort.”

Akran's sister told jurors that she and her brother were the children of an African king, and she said Akran stabbed Anifata after he disrespected their mother in their native language. Akran did not testify on his own behalf.