A THIRD killer has been convicted for his role in the murder of a Thurrock man outside a party.

Temitope Adeyinka, 41, stood trial at Woolwich Crown Court charged with murdering 50-year-old Robert Powell in the early hours of 13 June 2020.

Mr Powell, a music manager from Grays whose clients included rapper Dutchavelli, was gunned down at around 4.45am as he left a house party in Roydon, near Harlow.

He was shot eight times and later died in hospital.

Two women were also inadvertently caught in the hail of bullets and suffered serious injuries.

The principal organiser the hit, Nana Oppong, 45, and associate Israar Shah, 41, were both convicted of murder last year and jailed for life.

The bullets were fired from a 9mm Luger semi-automatic pistol and one knocked the gold grill from Mr Powell's mouth.

Two women were also struck by the hail of bullets sprayed by the gunman.

"It must have been a terrifying spectacle to witness," said prosecutor Justin Rouse KC.

The hit squad was led by high-level drug dealer Oppong, 45, who had an unknown "grievance" with Mr Powell, the jury was told.

During the trial of Oppong and Shah in May last year - and following an intensive four-year manhunt carried out in partnership with law enforcement abroad and the National Crime Agency - Adeyinka was tracked down in Spain and arrested.

Adeyinka, of Buxton Road, London, denied charges of murder and possession of a firearm.

Temitope Adeyinka.

Following his trial, on Friday 7 November a jury cleared Adeyinka of murder and possession of a firearm, but found him guilty of manslaughter.

The trial had heard how Adeyinka, who had the street name 'Limo', was a long-term associate of Oppong.

Oppong, a high-level criminal with a history of violence, use of firearms and drug dealing, had long been set on killing Mr Powell over an unknown grievance.

Learning that Mr Powell would be attending the party that night, he formed a plan with a team of co-conspirators to execute a hit.

Nana Oppong led the plan in a Ford Kuga – unregistered and used solely for the purpose of executing the murder plot – driving to the scene with the support of two other vehicles, Shah's Toyota Prius and a Vauxhall Zafira.

Adeyinka, alongside Shah, was in the Prius.

This car was seen prowling up and down the road outside the party venue, the pair keeping watch for Mr Powell.

When Mr Powell emerged, the Kuga carrying Oppong pulled up near him, a gunman briefly stepped out and the murder took place.

CCTV, telephone and vehicle tracking evidence proved Adeyinka met up with Shah and Oppong, travelled to the party and was in contact with Oppong in the hours before and following the murder.

Enquiries continue to identify others likely involved in the plot.

Convicted: Nana Oppong and Israar Shah

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, who led the essex Police investigation for the past five years, said: "This has been a complex, difficult and lengthy investigation.

"It became clear as our enquiries began, in the aftermath of the party in Roydon, that not one person in attendance was willing to give a statement to us.

"Undeterred, we grew our investigation from a single piece of intelligence, piecing together the wider conspiracy to murder Robert Powell and identifying three key suspects.

"Adeyinka, as we saw with Oppong and Shah, tried to flee the country and spent four years on the run.

"We heard during his trial he spent his time in Marbella.

"But he would have been looking over his shoulder, and it was only a matter of time before we tracked him down with our partners abroad.

"Well away from his time enjoying sunny Spain, he will now spend his time in a prison cell for his part in this crime.

"The murder of Robert Powell was rare in its brutality and level of organisation.

"We were committed - and remain committed - to bringing all of those involved in this shooting to justice."

Samantha Woolley, a Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Prosecutor, said: "This has been one of the most challenging and complex cases of my legal career and involved extensive liaison with the CPS Extradition Unit to bring Temitope Adeyinka rightfully back to the UK to face justice.

"The CPS worked collaboratively with prosecution counsel, Essex Police and the NCA to ensure a strong case could be presented to the court following an intensive investigation.

"Each and every one of us involved were determined that those responsible for the murder of Robert Powell were brought to justice and we worked tirelessly to achieve this."

Gill Duggan, Head of Europe at the National Crime Agency's International command, said: "Adeyinka's conviction is another superb result and shows once again that UK law enforcement does not give up on finding those who have fled justice in the UK.

"We worked extensively with Essex Police and the Spanish National Police who were key to tracing and arresting Adeyinka. Working with our colleagues at home and abroad, the NCA will continue to hunt those on the run."