Benjamin Togiai murder: Abdullah El Nasher jailed for 29 years after spraying bullets outside boxing match

The family of a man shot dead outside a packed boxing match have spoken of their gratitude after the man responsible was jailed.

Benjamin Togiai, 33, was struck in the chest and killed outside the Big Time Boxing event at the Melbourne Pavilion, where gunman Abdullah El Nasher, 31, opened fire.

From a vantage point between two parked cars he fired five shots within thee seconds, hitting Mr Togiai and another man, Omar Bchinnati, who needed surgery to remove a bullet from his leg.

El Nasher was jailed for 29 years and three months by Justice Christopher Beale in the Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday.

As he was led from the courtroom, El Nasher’s former co accused, Osamma Allouche, who was found not guilty, called out, “Abs, keep your head up.”

Abdullah El Nasher was jailed for 29 years and three months. NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia

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Throughout the hour-long hearing, El Nasher appeared bored, shifting around in his seat and making loud exhales.

The court was told he attended the Kensington venue with family and friends, including Mr Allouche, and was sitting at table 28 on March 1, 2019.

A group of patrons on table 64 were “taunting and abusing” his group, with El Nasher leaving to retrieve his pistol, which he kept close by for the remainder of the night in a “manbag”.

Almost an hour and a half later, shortly before 10pm, he was captured on CCTV firing shots into a crowd of about 20 people leaving the venue – including those who were seated on table 64.

Mr Allouche fired one shot but did not hit anyone, Justice Beale said.

Osamma Allouche was released after the jury found him not guilty. NCA NewsWire/ Liam Beatty Credit: News Corp Australia

At trial, El Nasher was found guilty of murder and intentionally causing serious injury, while Mr Allouche, who prosecutors had allegedly “hatched a plan” with El Nasher, was found not guilty on both counts.

Taking the stand, El Nasher had claimed he was acting in self-defence and only fired after two men had pointed guns at him.

“Clearly, the jury rejected your claim … Overall, I did not find you to be a credible or reliable witness,” Justice Beale said.

He found that while some of El Nasher’s family had asserted his remorse in letters to the court, he was “not satisfied” this was the case.

Members of El Nasher's family told reporters he was innocent. Picture NCA NewsWire/ Liam Beatty Credit: News Corp Australia

“I’m not satisfied you are truly remorseful for you actions, rather you are sorry for yourself,” he said.

While Justice Beale found one other man had produced a gun, it was only after El Nasher began firing.

He fled Victoria after the shooting but was arrested in NSW eight days later and brought back to face trial.

Outside court, Mr Togiai’s sister, Sharon Togiai, said the family were “super grateful” for the efforts of police prosecutors and witnesses who came forward to bring Mr Togiai’s killer to justice.

Sharon Togiai told media she was grateful for the efforts of police and prosecutors in securing her brother's killer’s conviction. NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Togiai’s mother Ruth cried as she told media she missed her son. NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia

“None of this would have happened without them, but I think it’s really important to understand no kind of justice will bring back my brother,” she said.

“He was amazing, he was bubbly, super happy and would do anything for anyone … I think it’s really important to remember him as an amazing person.”

Members of El Nasher’s family told reporters he was innocent and should not be spending a minimum of 23 years in prison.

“That happened in self-defence and this is what he gets — that’s disgusting,” one said.

“Our brother is innocent.”