Nigerian phone-robbery convicts sentenced to a combined 55 years in UK after terrorising London stores with high-value mobile thefts

Four Nigerians involved in a phone-robbery syndicate terrorising London have been sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison by Kingston Crown Court.

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The convicts, including David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole, were part of a gang responsible for 13 violent robberies targeting EE stores across the UK between September and November 2024.

According to the UK Metropolitan Police, the syndicate threatened store staff to gain access to secure stock rooms, stealing mobile phones and other devices valued at approximately £240,000.

Police linked the suspects to the crimes using DNA evidence, call data, and vehicle records.

Four of the men were arrested in the act at an EE shop in Kilburn on 19 November 2024. Searches of their addresses led to the recovery of stolen devices and further incriminating evidence.

The 10 suspects charged in court pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, with sentencing delivered on 7 November 2025. The jail terms for the main defendants include:

James Adodo – 10 years

David Akintola – 6 years 6 months

Michael Babo – 6 years 10 months

Robert Hills – 5 years 3 months

Ayomide Olaribiro – 4 years 6 months

Olabiyi Obasa – 3 years 6 months

David Okewole – 7 years 6 months

Nelson Joel – 3 years 3 months

Two others were convicted of attempted robbery:

Laville Bloise – 2-year suspended sentence

Mushtakim Miah – 8 years 6 months

This case highlights a concerning trend of Nigerians abroad facing convictions for criminal offences. In a recent report, Chiemka Okoronta, a Nigerian postgraduate student in the UK, was sentenced to 10 years and will be deported after being found guilty of raping a teenage girl.

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The UK police continue to emphasise their commitment to tackling organised crime, using intelligence-led investigations to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.