Phone robbery: 4 UK-based Nigerians sentenced 22 years jail term

Four UK-based Nigerians have been handed lengthy sentences for their roles in a phone robbery operation across a series of mobile phone shops in London. The ten-man gang, who were handed a combined jail term of over 55 years, stole items with a total value of £240,000. 

According to a report released by the Metropolitan Police, the Nigerians identified as David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole played key roles in the phone robbery activity carried out between September and November 2024. Investigation by the Met’s Flying Squad noted that the organised crime group was responsible for at least 13 offences.

Detective Constable Stephen O’Connell, who led the Met’s Flying Squad team, explained that the ten-man group targeted mostly EE stores. He said that the gang used threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before carting away with high-value mobile phones and other devices.

“We know how much distress these crimes cause to staff and the impact on businesses. We’re dismantling criminal networks at every level, from street-level thieves to organised crime groups – and we will continue to work with retail and industry partners to identify and arrest offenders,” he added.

Following their investigation, four members of the gang were arrested on 19 November 2024 in the process of launching another phone robbery at an EE shop in Kilburn, North West London. All ten men were later charged and sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 7 November.

While the entire group was sentenced to a combined jail term of over 55 years, the four UK-based Nigerians saw a combined jail term of 22 years. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 30 January.

The breakdown of their sentences is as follows.

• David Akintola of Samuel Street, Woolwich, was sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.
• Ayomide Olaribiro of Warrior Square, Manor Park, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment.
• Olabiyi Obasa of Norfolk Close, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment.
• David Okewole of Vale Road, Northfleet, Kent, was sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

Also Read: Debit card fraud: How 3 US-based Nigerians stole $500,910 COVID-19 funds.

About the phone robbery investigation 

While explaining the modus operandi of the phone robbery investigation, Detective Constable Stephen O’Connell said that the investigation involved analysis of CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and mobile phone data. 

He explained that with the help of technology tools, officers were able to link suspects to the scenes of the crimes through DNA evidence, call data and vehicle records. The phone robbery investigation also involved searches at addresses linked to the suspects, which led to the recovery of stolen devices.

More evidence obtained by the Met Flying Squad also linked the group to more robberies. 

“This case shows the Met’s continued determination to tackle organised phone theft and robbery. Officers used forensic and digital techniques to identify and arrest those responsible and bring them to justice,” he added.