Following a 5 week trial at Woolwich Crown Court prosecuted by Justin Rouse KC and Max Hardy, instructed by CPS Essex and the Serious Crime Directorate, Israar Shah and Nana Oppong were convicted by the jury of murder, firearm and drug offences.
In the early hours of 13 June 2020, for reasons that remain unknown, Robert Powell was executed outside a Harlow house party he attended with his sons. The defendants drove out from London in a convoy including untraceable vehicles for the planned and targeted shooting.
A key part of the evidence in relation to Nana Oppong came from his use of EncroChat, an expensive secure telephone service used by high level criminals. Following an international police operation, the system was infiltrated by French law enforcement, revealing Oppong’s wholesale Class A drugs supply operation. This led to his involvement in the murder.
The defendants were extradited from Spain and Morocco respectively to face trial. A third suspect has now been apprehended and extradited from Spain. Nana Oppong, described as one of Britain’s most wanted criminals, had previously been acquitted at the Central Criminal Court of three other murders.
On 31 May 2024 the defendants were sentenced by Mr Justice Bennathan to life sentences with minimum terms for Nana Oppong of 38 years and Israar Shah of 26 years, less time spent on remand.
Read more on BBC News
