By Aaior K. Comfort
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 of Nigerian transportation company Gokada. Haspil, who was Saleh’s executive assistant, committed the crime to evade detection after embezzling funds from his employer.
Haspil was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury two months prior, found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree grand larceny, and additional charges. The sentencing, announced on September 13, 2024, marks a conclusion to the case that shocked many.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. stated, “Today, Tyrese Haspil faces accountability for the brutal murder and decapitation of Fahim Saleh, a kind and generous person who made a positive impact on the world. While this sentence will not bring Mr. Saleh back, we hope it provides his family with some closure.”
Surveillance footage revealed Haspil entering Saleh’s apartment on July 13, 2020. Haspil used a taser on Saleh before fatally stabbing him. The next day, Haspil dismembered and decapitated Saleh’s body using a saw, placing the remains in construction bags. Saleh’s cousin discovered the body and reported it to the police after not hearing from him for 24 hours.
Haspil was arrested four days later at an Airbnb he rented for his girlfriend’s birthday celebration. He had been embezzling funds by creating fake financial statements and setting up a fraudulent PayPal account and corporate bank account, ultimately stealing around $400,000.
Prosecutors noted that Haspil had plotted to kill Saleh at least three times before carrying out the murder to cover his tracks. Saleh’s company, Gokada, described his dedication to Nigeria and its youth as “immeasurable,” highlighting his belief in the transformative power of technology and its potential to improve lives.
Gokada, launched in Nigeria in 2017, initially focused on ride-hailing before expanding into logistics and food delivery in 2020.