Bound to the steering wheel of his cab & executed – how mystery killing of dad-to-be could finally be solved 30 years on

Thirty years later, the murder of a soon-to-be father who was handcuffed to the steering wheel of his taxi and put to death could finally be solved.

On Tuesday, November 22, 1994, 26-year-old Ethsham “Shami” Ul-Haq Ghafoor was shot and killed in his taxi in Nottingham.

At 4.30 am, a milkman discovered him bound and with his wrists tied to the steering wheel.

Police have called the shooting death of the cabbie a “execution.”

Today is the 30th anniversary of Shami’s murder, which has still not been solved.

Shami’s mother passed away before receiving justice for her oldest son, and his daughter was born without a father.

Up to $50,000 is being offered by Crimestoppers for information that results in a conviction.

Shami’s involvement with Nottingham’s “criminal fraternity” is believed by detectives.

He is believed to have been slain after “finding himself out of his depth”; nonetheless, others were afraid of gangsters and hence did not come forward with any clues.

However, police think that because of changing allegiances in the Nottingham underworld, important witnesses may now be open to speaking.

On the night of his murder, Shami, a well-known cab driver, was operating in east Nottingham.

He was last spotted in his black and white Ford Sierra with three Asian males in Carlton Square at 2.40 in the morning.

In Gedling, a village on the outskirts of the city, the milkman discovered his vehicle in Lambley Lane Playing Fields.

It was a remote location that wasn’t typically used for taxi pickups or drops.

According to police, the gun that was used to shoot Shami has never been found.

However, scientists have examined several objects from the crime scene in a new way using new forensic technology.

At the time of Shami’s murder, a number of persons were taken into custody, but no one has ever been found guilty.

Police think the Asian community in Nottingham holds the key to Shami’s murder.

The three-month-long Crimestoppers reward will end on February 22 of the following year.

‘HORRIFIC CRIME’

“This was a terrible murder of a young man,” stated Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin.

A soon-to-be father was killed in a remote part of Nottinghamshire while riding in his own cab.

A family at the center of this terrible crime has been waiting for justice, answers, and the closure they so well deserve for thirty years.

“Shami’s mother never found that resolution. She passed away without understanding why her oldest son had been brutally murdered.

Because she was born without a father, his daughter had to live with other people’s stories about him and never had any of her own.

“Shami s brothers and sisters have shown immense bravery and are supporting our appeal.”

“They live with the pain and loss of their brother’s death every day,” ACC Griffin continued.

“We support them and share their desire to see the people responsible for his death apprehended and imprisoned.

“I would request that the community follow suit. to imagine themselves in the position of Shami’s family.

“Shami’s family needs answers to move on with their life, and you might have the answers they need right here.

“We are aware that there will be people who are aware of what transpired and possess that knowledge.

“We are aware that Shami was most likely hanging out with some criminals.

“I believe he got himself involved with people that were involved in organized crime, but I don’t think he was involved himself.

“He most likely discovered that he was out of his depth. I believe he was assassinated for this reason.

“We are depending on this precisely because we are aware that allegiances shift over time.

It is our hope that those who once believed they were unable to speak up may now feel differently and be able to do so.

“Now is the moment to take action, call us, and if necessary, supply us with information anonymously.

“Crimestoppers is providing an additional incentive of up to $50,000.

“This is a substantial payout for knowledge that results in conviction.

“I want to express my gratitude to Crimestoppers directly for their assistance and want to stand with us in ensuring that justice is done.

Over the past 30 years, numerous examinations of this horrible murder have been conducted.

But regrettably, his murderer or murderers have never been apprehended.

Over the past 18 months, we have been collaborating closely with Shami’s family.

“I have had multiple in-person meetings with them during this period.

“I have given them an explanation of why we assembled a new group of senior detectives, a new set of eyes, to make sure that every possibility, both new and old, is investigated.

“We are now calling on the community for their help and assistance to ensure that this crime does not go unsolved.”

FRESH APPEAL

Lydia Patsalides of Crimestoppers stated: “This is a very sad and tragic story.

“Shami’s entire family has been waiting for justice and answers for thirty years, and they are well-deserving.

“Our charity is here for you because we understand that it might be challenging for some people to speak with the police directly.

We’re hoping that sharing what you know will get simpler as time goes on.

Since our founding decades ago, we have been disseminating information concerning crimes while ensuring confidentiality.

“We’ve always maintained our word. The police have no influence over Crimestoppers.

“With our anonymity guarantee protecting you, you may make a difference by sharing what you know.

“That implies no courts, no police, and no witness accounts.

Simply said, there is no way to get in touch with our charity again once you call or contact them online.

“We are open every day of the year, twenty-four hours a day. We are unable to track your IP address or trace your call.

“No one will ever be aware that you got in touch with us. You might believe that your information is unimportant.

“However, it could make all the difference, and you could be eligible for this 50,000 reward.”

Call 101 and reference incident number 0300 of November 15 or contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 if you have any information.

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