Tyrese Haspil, a 25-year-old former assistant, 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. The sentencing took place two months after Haspil was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury.
Saleh was murdered in his Lower Manhattan apartment in July 2020 after discovering that Haspil had embezzled nearly $400,000 from him. Haspil, who had been Saleh’s executive assistant since 2018, killed him to prevent being exposed. Despite Saleh’s kindness in offering Haspil a second chance after discovering the theft, Haspil resorted to murder.
Surveillance footage captured Haspil attacking Saleh with a taser before stabbing him in the neck and torso. The following day, Haspil returned to dismember and decapitate Saleh’s body, placing the remains in pre-ordered construction bags. Saleh’s body was discovered by his cousin, who alerted the police.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. expressed hope that the sentencing would offer Saleh’s family some closure, describing the Gokada founder as a kind and generous person who made a positive impact on the world.
Gokada, which was founded in 2017, is a ride-hailing service in Nigeria that later expanded into logistics and food delivery.
