Man arrested in Robert Powell murder investigation

 

Nana Oppong, 42 has been detained by Moroccan authorities for unrelated offences.

He had been wanted in connection with the death of 50-year-old Robert Powell who was shot multiple times outside an address on Water Lane, Roydon, in 2020.

Following round-the-clock work between the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and partner agencies, we can now confirm Oppong has been formally arrested under a Red Notice and Provisional Arrest Request for the offences of murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding without intent.

He will remain in custody while extradition proceedings continue.

 

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, who has been leading the investigation, said:

“Numerous officers and staff across all agencies involved in this case have been working day and night to get justice for Robert’s family.
“Oppong’s arrest is the result of an excellent collaboration between Essex Police, the NCA, the CPS, Interpol, Crimestoppers and other law enforcement colleagues around the world, and it doesn’t stop there.
“We all share a common goal - to find anyone suspected of committing crime, no matter where they try to hide.
“Our work continues, and we won’t stop until Nana Oppong is back in the UK and facing the courts.”

 

Last year, on the second anniversary since his passing, Robert’s mother penned an open letter to those who may have information and are yet to come forward. It said:

“I am appealing and writing this to anyone with information that may be helpful in finding my son’s murderers.
“June 14th will mark two years since the murder of my son Robert Christopher Powell. I am asking all those who know something, or think they know something regarding his death to come forward and speak to Essex Police, who are leading the ongoing investigation into his murder.
“Many of you knew my son personally, some of you were his friends, others may have heard about him, or heard his name mentioned in the circle of friends you hang out with. I do not believe in my heart that no one knows nothing, because everyone knows something, or has heard a rumour from somebody.
“So many mothers are looking for reasons behind the death of their children, I am one of those mothers who has been left to mourn the loss of our sons or our daughters needlessly. The pain is ongoing day by day for the rest of our lives.
“You wait, expecting a phone call, hear their favourite song, or smell their clothing. The worst pain of all is on their birthday.
“We live in a society where when a life is taken, everyone is at the funeral, everyone says they knew the person and the person’s lifestyle is then discussed by many. Why is it that during all this conversation, no one hears nor knows anything about their death?
“The police know how he died; we all know how he died. He was shot several times. The police need your help in finding these killers out there who are murdering our children. My son may have been 50 years of age when he died, but he was still my child.
“My son was an awesome person with a smile that still warms my heart. He was a father of three children and a grandfather of two. He was a well-loved son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend to many, and we all love and miss him. He would call me every week or every other day, we would face time each other and talk about the family, and the plans we have for the future. But others choose to take his dream and future plans for his family from him.
“I can only pray and plead to the conscience of anyone who has information, no matter how small, to contact Essex Police. It has been two years now, and we, the family of Robert Christopher Powell are asking you to please look into your hearts and help us find closure.
“I’ve lost my son to violence, and I will not be the only mother who will make an appeal for information regarding the death of their child.”

You can let us know by submitting a report online or by calling us on 101.

You can also make a report to independent charity Crimestoppers, 100% anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by making a report on their website. 

More information about rewards for information can also be found on the Crimestoppers website.

Please reference incident 42/84970/20 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right team as quickly as possible.