YOU’RE 19. You go to a barbecue. You drive your friends home – but it’s not that late and it’s summer so you stay out and you sit on a wall and chat with a girl. But Abdul Mayanja sat on the wrong wall. He couldn’t have known, but he was about to be shot dead.
On Monday, 22nd July, two men were convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey – of murdering Abdul on 25th August last year. They – were known gang members, and they were out for vengeance against a rival gang operating in certain area. They calculated that killing someone in that area would be effective revenge.
A detailed police investigation, using local CCTV and mobile phone records, established that the two murderers were driven to Waddington Road, near Well Street and then got out of the car and walked the last bit while the car crawled along beside them. They went up to Abdul and asked him where he was from and before he could answer they shot him anyway. They then got back into the car and were driven away – before taking the car to Jade Close in Newham and torching it.
The two murderers are: •Sean Obazee, 24, of North Pole Road, W10 •Braeden Henry, 25, of Evelyn Road, E16 They probably wanted revenge to make themselves look big. They don’t look very big now. They will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 26th July.
The following four people were found not guilty at the same trial: •Alex Simos, 30, and Marvin Simos, 23, were found not guilty of murder and manslaughter; •Kieron Aransibia, 24, and Jade Thrower, 24, were found not guilty of perverting the course of justice.
As the two were convicted, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine of the Serious Crime Command said, “On that night a 19-year-old man lost his life in the most brutal of circumstances, leaving his family grieving for the loss of a young life taken far, far too soon. Abdul was not a gang member, in fact he was a good boy with a bright future. […] The actions of Obazee and Henry on that night were beyond callous; Abdul was outnumbered and ambushed and frankly did not stand a chance.
“… it has taken some time to accrue the necessary evidence against them. I would like to pay tribute to Abdul’s family who have been incredibly dignified, supportive and patient throughout the investigation and I hope that today’s convictions allow them to move on.”
Abdul’s mother said, in a tribute to her son: “Abdul’s loss created a massive hole in the family, as he was not only a son but a brother and a friend to those around him. He was a role model to those he associated with. Abdul was very helpful and understanding. He always wore a smile on his face. He is sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
“Abdul was a much loved son, he conducted himself in a grown up manner, we were able to discuss anything. I always had so much pride in everything he said and did. I miss my dearest Abdul. I am left with a virtual sense of his existence. I will never forget the pain and disappointment he must have endured in his last moments. I don’t understand why anyone would want to harm him and that for us as parents will haunt us for a lifetime.”
•Read more about this story: Well Street murder hunt continues
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