Tyrese Haspil, a 25-year-old American, has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murder of Fahim Saleh, the 33-year-old founder and CEO of Nigerian transportation company Gokada. Haspil, who was Saleh’s executive assistant, was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree grand larceny, and other charges.
According to prosecutors, Haspil had embezzled nearly $400,000 from Saleh and murdered him to avoid being caught. Surveillance footage showed Haspil entering Saleh’s apartment building in New York City on July 13, 2020, where he tasered, stabbed, and later dismembered Saleh. The crime was discovered by Saleh’s cousin, who reported it to the police.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. commented on the sentencing: “Today, Tyrese Haspil is facing accountability for brutally murdering and decapitating Fahim Saleh, a kind, generous, and empathetic person who positively impacted the world. Even after the defendant stole from him to fund a lavish lifestyle, Mr. Saleh still gave him a second chance. While today’s sentence won’t bring Mr. Saleh back, I hope it provides his family a sense of closure as they continue to mourn his painful loss.”
Prosecutors revealed that Haspil had “plotted to murder Saleh at least three times” before ultimately carrying out the crime in July 2020, reportedly to hide the embezzlement and prevent Saleh from potentially serving as a witness against him.
Gokada, founded in 2017, has played a significant role in the Nigerian ride-hailing and logistics sectors. In a statement after Saleh’s death, the company described his dedication to Nigeria and its youth as “immeasurable.” They added, “He believed young Nigerians are extremely bright and talented individuals who would flourish if just given the right opportunity. Fahim also believed that technology can transform lives and improve safety and efficiency. He built Gokada to act upon these beliefs.”
