A fugitive wanted by police over the murder of a promising Norbury rapper fled to Nigeria with the help of his family, a court heard.

Two women appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday charged with perverting the course of justice after, it is alleged, they aided Jeffery Okafor in fleeing the country following the August 2009 killing of Carl Beatson Asiedu.

The teenager, known as Charmz, was stabbed to death outside Club Life in Kennington shortly after 5am on August 1, 2009.

The 19-year-old rapper’s body was discovered in the back of a friend’s car, which had been speeding to hospital after the stabbing but was pulled over by police after it crossed a red light.

Police, who began investigating the murder, came across the name Jeffrey Okafor as a suspect after identifying him on the club’s CCTV.

The court heard Mr Okafor escaped the UK on August 17, 2009 using a false name and passport and is thought to be hiding in Nigeria.

It is alleged his mother, hospital worker Lynn Kanebi, 46, and his brother’s girlfriend Nicola Rushworth, 35, helped him to flee the country.

Junior Okafor, 23, Mr Okafor’s brother, has already pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

When detectives went to Mr Okafor’s house Southwark, he was not there.

However, it was suggested by the prosecution Mr Okafor escaped through a back window and went into hiding.

Mr Okafor’s passport was seized by police, however, he managed to board an Air France flight on August 17 to Lagos, Nigeria, using his brother’s name and passport, the court heard.

Mrs Kanebi was caught on CCTV at Unique Travel in Peckham, purchasing a flight for Junior Okafor, the jury heard.

Junior Okafor’s girlfriend Nicola Rushworth then went along with Jeffrey and Junior Okafor to Heathrow where the trio waited for three and a half hours until his flight, the court heard.

Prosecutor Sarah Whitehouse said: “Lynn Kanebi and Nicola Rushworth, helped Jeffrey Okafor escape justice. Lynn Kanebi bought his ticket and Nicola Rushworth drove him to the airport.

“Another man, Junior Okafor, who is Jeffrey’s brother, also played a part in the escape.

“What you will have to decide is what was their state of mind?

“Did they know that Jeffrey Okafor was wanted by the police?

“Did they know what they were doing was assisting him to escape and so avoid being arrested?”

Both women deny the charges and the trial is expected to last a week.

* One man has been charged with the murder of Mr Asiedu and three others face charges of violent disorder in relation to the fight.

All will be tried at the Old Bailey.