Last November, Richard Taylor, father of the murdered Nigerian boy, Damilola, told the BBC news: "I still believe the police are not resting until justice is obtained for those who murdered our son. We have been assured by the outgoing commissioner of police John Stevens that this will not be a wasted effort. We are hopeful the investigation is still on and that one day someone will be brought to justice."

That day came nearer January 5 when three London youths were arrested by the police, questioned and on January 7 arraigned in court and charged with the 2000 murder of the then 10-year old Damilola.

The three teenagers, Hassan Jihad, 19 and two brothers aged 16 and 17, who, by British court rules cannot be named, were arraigned at the Camberwell Green Magistrates court and were remanded in custody until Friday January, 14 when they appeared at the Old Bailey.

Their arrest and arraignment have been welcomed by the Taylor family, especially Richard and Gloria, Damilola's mother, who have both been lauded by the British public for their dignity despite the pain of losing their son. In a statement after the arrests were made in different parts of London, the Taylors said: "The family are very encouraged with the news of today's arrests and the extent of police investigation. All that we have ever wanted is justice for our son."

Deputy assistant commissioner Bill Griffiths described the developments as significant and the result of efforts to establish the truth of what happened the day Damilola was killed.

It has indeed taken four long years for police to make the new breakthrough in the case. Using DNA techniques on the forensic evidence collected after the boy's death, they have been able to make new discoveries leading to the arrest of the three youths. This had to be so as the British top cop, Stevens, who heads the London Metropolitan Police and who retires at the end of January had assigned a crack unit to solve the murder mystery.

Late last year, Stevens had been widely quoted in a press interview as regarding the unsolved Damilola case as a blot on his meritorious years as the boss of the Metropolitan Police. In a stroke of luck before his retirement later this month, the new investigation team he put together led by Detective Chief Inspector Nick Ephgrave, appears to have moved the case further towards resolution.

Damilola bled to death in the stairwell of an estate in Peckham in November 2000 from the injuries he sustained after he was stabbed with a broken bottle on his way back home after a computer class at a local youth centre. In 2002, the Metropolitan Police came under much criticism for botching the arrest and trial of four youths in connection with his death. The prosecution relied heavily on the evidence of a 14-year old girl, who was described as unreliable by the judge after it was discovered that she seemed to have been induced to testifying by the large reward that the conviction of the four youths would have brought.

Thereafter, the judge ruled her evidence inadmissible and freed two of the youths while the other two were found not guilty by a jury. Ironically, the three youths arrested January 5 had also been arrested at the time but were not charged. Following the uproar over the botched case, the police promised the Taylors to keep it active and in order to solve the murder.

More than 300 mourners attended the 10-year old funeral in 2000 including John Fashanu, former football star, the Nigerian High Commissioner at the time, Bola Ajibola, British cabinet minister Paul Boateng and Nwankwo Kanu, former Arsenal football club star who now plays for the West Brom Albions. Because the murder so touched the public, the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, re-named the social centre frequented by Damilola after him a year on from his death. Richard and Gloria themselves started a Damilola Taylor Trust to help children with epilepsy (the affliction of Damilola's sister) and provide financial support for young people wanting to study medicine.

Much is being achieved by the Trust which has been promoting awareness on the knife carrying culture among British youths, especially those in the inner cities. Stabbings and knife attacks have been on the rise in recent years among the youths and have indeed become priority issues being tackled through a host of initiatives by the Blair government.

Damilola was born and brought up in Lagos. He went to Britain in August 2000 with his mother Gloria and older sister and brother Bemi and Tunde, respectively. The family moved to London to afford Damilola's sister who suffers from epilepsy better treatment. Although very well liked at his school in Peckam, he complained to his mother about bullying. Nevertheless he signed up with the computer club at the Peckham Library and went there most days after school.

Damilola, in an essay he wrote, which was read at his funeral said: "I want to be the very best, like no-one ever has been. The world we must defend and I know it is my destiny."

Sadly, that dream would remain unfulfilled, but the dream of his parents-Richard and Gloria-to get justice for him might just come true following recent developments.