One of UK's most wanted extradited back to UK to stand trial over Essex murder

One of the UK’s "most wanted fugitives" has been returned to the UK to stand trial over the murder of an Essex man.

Following around-the-clock work, Nana Oppong, 43, from Newham in London, has been extradited back to the UK from Morocco.

His arrest comes as part of Essex Police's probe into the murder of 50-year-old Robert Powell, who was shot outside a party in Water Lane, Roydon, Harlow, in June 2020.

Oppong, who also featured in a National Crime Agency most wanted campaign, was stopped by officers from Morocco’s General Directorate for National Security in September 2022 at Tangier Port, after trying to enter the country using false documents.

He had travelled in the back of a lorry from Spain.

Oppong was escorted back to the UK by an extradition team from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre on Wednesday (June 21) and taken straight to Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

Today (June 22), he also appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court and was remanded in custody until his next appearance.

Essex Police's Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, who has been leading the investigation, said: “Oppong’s arrest and extradition are the result of an excellent collaboration between Essex Police and our law enforcement colleagues around the world, and it doesn’t stop there.

“We’re working day and night to get justice for Robert’s family and all those who have lost a loved one to violent crime.

"We won’t stop until each and every suspect is located, questioned and ultimately brought before the courts.”

A third man is still wanted in connection with Robert's murder.

Through the work of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, working closely with the NCA and other law enforcement colleagues around the world, two of the three men wanted in connection with Mr Powell's death are now in custody in the UK.

The third man, 38-year-old Temitope Adeyinka, also known as Limo, is still outstanding and a European Arrest Warrant is in place to facilitate his capture.

Anyone who knows of the whereabouts of 38-year-old Temitope Adeyinka, or has any information that may help detectives with their investigation, are urged to contact Essex Police immediately.