Sabina Nessa: Murder suspect Koci Selamaj pleads not guilty

Koci Selamaj, a 36-year-old driver who has been accused of Sabina Nessa’s murder, appeared in court recently. The Domino’s pizza delivery driver intended to plead not guilty to killing the 28-year-old teacher Sabina Nessa. His lawyers told Willesden Magistrate’s Court that their defendant is innocent and has no connections with Ms. Nessa’s murder case in Kidbrooke, southeast London.

On Tuesday morning, Mr. Selamaj, of Terminus Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, arrived in court wearing a grey sweater and grey jogging trousers. Mr. Selamaj's lawyer, Aidan Harvey, said his client wanted to plead not guilty after district judge Dennis Brennan asked for an indication of plea.

Who is Koci Selamaj?

Koci Selamaj, the delivery driver who has been accused of Ms. Nessa’s murder was arrested on Sunday in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Apparently, the accused used to work for Domino’s but left the chain in July. Ever since then, the locals have informed the police that he used to drop off food using his own car.

Selamaj is originally from Albania and used to live in the region with his girlfriend, but they parted ways earlier this year. Concerning the case, he has been accused since the description of the culprit as per the CCTV footage is similar to that of Selamaj. On Tuesday, he was escorted from prison to Willesden magistrates court for a two-minute preliminary hearing, during which he just confirmed his name, date of birth, and address.

Further Investigation Update

The last arrest in the case was made on Sunday, and no new development have been made since. So far, two other men, aged 38 and 41, who had been arrested by police in connection with Nessa's killing had been released under investigation. The single charge of murder was read out by prosecutor Umaima Peracha, and district judge Denis Brennan informed Selamaj that his case will be moved to the Old Bailey, where he would have a bail hearing on Thursday.

Nessa was last seen leaving her house in the Kidbrooke neighbourhood of southeast London, about 8:30 pm on Friday 17 September, and heading to the local Depot bar to meet a friend when she vanished, according to police. The next day, her body was discovered near the OneSpace community centre in Cator Park.