The group were convicted in court on Wednesday (credit: Met Police)
Saydi Abu Sheikh, 23, and Zakariya Jeilani Mohamed, 32, were fatally shot inside a house in Henley Road in October 2022.
On Wednesday, 17 January at the Old Bailey, four men were convicted of two counts of murder; two counts of attempted murder and perverting the course of justice.
They included Ayaani Ali Adan, 20 from Barking; Zain Mirza, 21 from Newham; Mahad Gouled, 22 from Enfield and Chibiuke Ohanweh, 21 from Romford.
A fifth man – Zakarie Mohamed, 19, of Kensal Rise, Kensington – pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He was found not guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
On Tuesday, 25 October 2022, police and armed officers attended the Ilford property after receiving reports of a shooting at around 12.15am.
The two victims, who were both from Ilford, were found but died at the scene. Two other men were found suffering injuries; both were taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged.
A police investigation was launched and a vehicle found on fire in Ronnie Lane, near to the murder scene, was linked to the fatal shootings.
Detectives identified multiple CCTV sources which showed that vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Outlander, transporting four men to and from the scene. A search of the burnt our Mitsubishi recovered four hoodies and four pairs of tracksuit bottoms, which were linked to the murders through gunshot residue and blood stains found to contain the DNA of Mr Sheikh.
Detectives used DNA analysis and other technical and forensic techniques to identify and arrest the suspects.
All five will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, 23 January.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood, Homicide and Major Crime, led the investigation and said:
“The three men who entered the house were identified through forensic examination of the recovered clothing as Adan, Gouled and Ohanweh. Each was armed with a gun and at least 41 shots were fired inside the house.
“Zain Mirza facilitated the murder. He was linked to the gunmen after extensive police enquiries established that a rented address in Durham Road, Manor Park had been used as a base to plan the murder. It is believed he planned the fatal attack as he understood at least one person present at the Henley Road address was in some way connected to the murder of his brother.
“My thoughts are with the families of Saydi and Zakariya. As much as it was crucial to identify the reckless and callous individuals responsible for these brutal killings to safeguard the community, I am also pleased that both families were able to see justice done with these convictions.”
Tags: Redbridge, Ilford, Metropolitan Police
