A United Kingdom court has sentenced four Nigerians and six other individuals to a combined 55 years in prison for a series of violent phone robberies across London.
According to a statement obtained from the UK Metropolitan Police website, the convicts — David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, David Okewole, James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise — were part of a notorious syndicate that targeted multiple phone stores between September and November 2024.
The gang was said to have carried out 13 separate raids, mostly on EE outlets, using threats and intimidation to force employees into unlocking secure stockrooms before carting away high-value mobile devices and accessories worth about £240,000.
Investigations by the Metropolitan Police revealed that DNA evidence, call data, and vehicle tracking helped link the suspects to the robberies. The syndicate was eventually apprehended on November 19, 2024, when officers intercepted four of the men attempting another robbery at an EE store in Kilburn.
Searches conducted at their residences led to the recovery of stolen items and other incriminating evidence.
Following their arrest, eight members of the group pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and were sentenced on Friday, November 7, 2025, by the Kingston Crown Court.
The jail terms are as follows:
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
Nelson Joel – 3 years, 3 months
Olabiyi Obasa – 3 years, 6 months
David Okewole – 7 years, 6 months
Two others — Laville Bloise and Mushtakim Miah — pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and received lighter sentences.
The case highlights growing concerns over the involvement of foreign nationals in organised crimes across the UK.
Recently, Hobnob News also reported that a Nigerian postgraduate student, Chiemka Okoronta, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and slated for deportation after being convicted of raping a teenage girl in the UK.
