By Akpos Oje
A United Kingdom court has sentenced four Nigerians and six other members of a phone robbery syndicate to a total of 55 years’ imprisonment for a series of attacks on mobile phone stores across the country.
According to a statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Monday, the convicts — James Adodo, David Akintola, Michael Babo, Robert Hills, Ayomide Olaribiro, Nelson Joel, Olabiyi Obasa, David Okewole, Laville Bloise, and Mushtakim Miah — were part of a gang that carried out 13 coordinated robberies between September and November 2024.
The statement explained that the group mainly targeted EE stores, threatening staff to open secure stockrooms before stealing mobile phones and other high-value devices worth about £240,000.
Investigations linked the suspects to the crimes through DNA evidence, call data, and vehicle records. Police arrested four of the men on November 19, 2024, while attempting another robbery at an EE store in Kilburn, leading to the recovery of stolen items from their homes.
All ten suspects were charged, and eight pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, while two admitted to attempted robbery. They were sentenced on Friday, November 7, 2025, by the Kingston Crown Court.
James Adodo was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, David Akintola to six years and six months, Michael Babo to six years and 10 months, Robert Hills to five years and three months, Ayomide Olaribiro to four years and six months, Nelson Joel to three years and three months, Olabiyi Obasa to three years and six months, and David Okewole to seven years and six months.
In addition, Laville Bloise received two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, while Mushtakim Miah was handed eight years and six months’ imprisonment.
The Metropolitan Police said the successful prosecution followed months of investigation aimed at curbing organised violent robberies targeting retail stores across the UK.
