Four Nigerians have been sentenced alongside six other members of an international phone-robbery syndicate to a combined 55 years in prison by the Kingston Crown Court in the United Kingdom for their roles in a series of violent raids on mobile phone stores across London and other parts of England.
The UK Metropolitan Police said David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole were part of a ten-man gang that terrorised London between September and November 2024, targeting EE retail stores and other outlets.
The other convicted members include James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise.
Police investigations revealed that the gang conducted 13 coordinated robberies, during which they used threats and violence to force employees to unlock secure stockrooms before escaping with high-value mobile phones and electronic devices valued at approximately £240,000.
“The group targeted mostly EE stores, using threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before making off with high-value mobile phones and other devices,” the police statement read.
Detectives from the Flying Squad, a specialist armed robbery unit of the Metropolitan Police, linked the suspects to multiple crime scenes through DNA evidence, call data, and vehicle tracking records.
On November 19, 2024, officers moved in to arrest four of the men during an attempted robbery at an EE outlet in Kilburn, northwest London.
Searches conducted at their residences led to the recovery of stolen devices and other incriminating evidence tying the gang to the robberies.
Ten suspects were charged in court, with eight pleading guilty to conspiracy to rob on January 30, 2025. They were sentenced on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Kingston Crown Court.
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The sentences were as follows:
James Adodo (St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent) — 10 years’ imprisonment
David Akintola (Samuel Street, Woolwich) — 6 years and 6 months
Michael Babo (Gilbert Close, Woolwich) — 6 years and 10 months
Robert Hills (Mayfield Road, Gravesend, Kent) — 5 years and 3 months
Ayomide Olaribiro (Warrior Square, Manor Park) — 4 years and 6 months
Nelson Joel (St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent) — 3 years and 3 months
Olabiyi Obasa (Norfolk Close, Dartford, Kent) — 3 years and 6 months
David Okewole (Vale Road, Northfleet, Kent) — 7 years and 6 months
Two others were convicted of attempted robbery:
Mushtakim Miah (Artillery Place, Woolwich) — 8 years and 6 months
Laville Bloise (Goldcrest Close, Thamesmead) — 2 years, suspended for two years
The Metropolitan Police commended the work of its investigation team for swiftly dismantling the robbery network and ensuring justice was served.
A police spokesperson noted that the gang’s operations caused significant fear among retail staff and customers, emphasizing that the sentences would serve as a deterrent against similar organized crimes.
“This case highlights our commitment to identifying and bringing to justice those who use violence and intimidation to steal from hardworking businesses,” the statement added.
The convictions come amid growing reports of Nigerians and other foreign nationals being sentenced abroad for criminal offences.
Last week, PUNCH Metro reported that Chiemka Okoronta, a Nigerian postgraduate student in the UK, was handed a 10-year jail term for rape and will be deported upon completion of his sentence.
