“Four Nigerians Among Ten Sentenced to 55 Years for London Phone Robberies”
Story: written by Joseph November 11,2025
Four Nigerians who were part of a violent gang that carried out a series of mobile phone robberies in London have been sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison by Kingston Crown Court in the United Kingdom.
According to a statement released on Monday by the UK Metropolitan Police, the convicts—David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole—were tried alongside six other offenders: James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise.
The gang was responsible for 13 armed robberies between September and November 2024, targeting retail outlets for high-end mobile phones and electronic devices, primarily EE stores. They used intimidation and threats of violence to force staff to open secure stockrooms, stealing items valued at around £240,000.
Investigators linked the suspects to the crimes through DNA evidence, phone records, and vehicle tracking. Surveillance teams apprehended four gang members on November 19, 2024, while they attempted another robbery at an EE outlet in Kilburn. Subsequent searches at addresses connected to the gang recovered stolen goods and additional evidence.
All ten suspects faced charges, with eight pleading guilty to conspiracy to rob on January 30, 2025, and receiving sentences on November 7, 2025:
- 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, who pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, received separate sentences:
- Laville Bloise – 2 years, suspended for two years
- Mushtakim Miah – 8 years, 6 months
The Metropolitan Police praised the officers for their meticulous work, noting that the convictions have dismantled a dangerous network responsible for multiple violent robberies across London.
