Thugs who shot Robert Powell jailed 64 years for murder

Robert Powell, 50, was shot eight times after leaving a party with his two sons in Roydon, Harlow, in the early hours of  June 13 2020. 

The principal organiser of the hit, Nana Oppong, 44, of West Road, Stratford, and co-defendant Israar Shah, 39, of Kelvedon Hatch near Brentwood were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (May 31).

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Mr Powell’s sister said: “It has been a long and painful experience for us all since Robert was killed in 2020, but I am glad two of the people responsible were not able to hide forever.”

Oppong, a high-level drug dealer and organised criminal, fled the country and went on the run after organising and carrying out the execution of Mr Powell. 

Robert Powell was leaving a party with his two sons when he was gunned down (Image: Essex Police)

On the morning of the murder, as Mr Powell left the party, Oppong, and Shah, were watching from nearby vehicles. 

At around 4.45am, a Ford Kuga carrying Oppong pulled up alongside Mr Powell. 

A gunman got out the car and shot Mr Powell eight times, one shot hitting two women nearby, before fleeing the scene.

Shah, in a nearby Toyota Prius, was also caught on CCTV quickly fleeing the scene.

A third vehicle, a Vauxhall Zafira, was used as a support vehicle.

Killer Nana Oppong, from Stratford (Image: Essex Police)

Both vehicles were there to assist the gunman in the Kuga in carrying out the execution, Essex Police said.

An investigation was launched and led by detectives within Essex Police's Serious Crime Directorate, focusing on key CCTV, telephone and vehicle tracking evidence.

The car was eventually traced back to an industrial estate in Epping, where it was dumped before collected hours later.

Using CCTV and analysing mobile phones, Oppong and Shah- were linked with the shooting.

Drug dealer and killer's accomplice, Israar Shah, from Kelvedon Hatch (Image: Essex Police)

It was found that days before the shooting on June 5, the suspects planned an attack.

Messages also showed the two talking about a specific type of 9mm ammunition, the same type used to kill Robert

The EncroChat conversations further implicated Oppong in a conspiracy to supply cocaine and transfer criminal profits.

Still of Nana Oppong being apprehended for Robert Powell murder (Image: Essex Police)

Both Oppong and Shah fled the country following the killing and were eventually apprehended.

Oppong was located in Morocco in September 2022 after trying to enter the country using false documents and was extradited back to the UK in June 2023. 

Shah was located in Spain in December 2022 and extradited back in February 2023.

Both stood trial charged with murder and possession of a firearm.

Oppong was further charged with causing grievous bodily harm and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Israar Shah arrested after fleeing the country and being extradited from Spain (Image: Essex Police)

Both defendants were convicted on all charges on Tuesday (May 28).

Oppong admitted a charge of conspiring to supply Class A drugs shortly before the trial. 

Oppong will serve a minimum term of 38 years until he can be considered for parole, Shah a minimum of 26 years.

Essex Police said it was likely others were involved in the murder and the investigation is ongoing.

Paying tribute to Mr Powell, his sister said Robert was her younger sibling, father to three children and grandfather to two grandchildren, who were babies when he was murdered.

“Robert’s death has fractured my family and it now feels broken," she said.

She said her brother was the "life and soul" of a party and would "light up" a room.

“The talk of Uncle Robert coming to an event such as a birthday, would get the kids all excited as they loved being around him.

“Robert was such a family orientated person; he loved being around us all. This is now gone and get togethers are not the same."

Detective Superintendent Steve Jennings, who led the investigation, said the sentencing marked "a significant milestone" in what has been a four-year effort to bring two dangerous killers to justice. 

“Robert Powell was callously executed in a carefully organised drive-by shooting in Roydon, Harlow, in 2020," he added.

“Oppong wanted Robert dead and formed a plan, using a team of associates, to murder him.

“He has refused at every turn to accept any responsibility for his actions in arranging this killing. 

“Shah lied about his presence at the scene, telling the jury he was there to deal drugs. Thanks to the evidence we gathered, the jury saw through this lie. 

“These sentences do not mark the end of our investigation. 

“We know, and the evidence is clear, others were likely involved in Robert’s murder, and we will continue to work to see them identified and arrested.”