Nigerian parents seek review of son’s UK robbery, blackmail conviction

The parents of a Nigerian student convicted in the United Kingdom for robbery and blackmail are urging authorities to review his case, asserting his innocence. Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola was found guilty by a UK court on June 19, 2026, and is currently held at Nottingham Prison awaiting sentencing on July 27.

“

Our son is innocent of the charges against him. We believe he has been wrongfully convicted and is about to suffer for a crime he did not commit.

His parents, Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka Akinrinola, described the conviction as a "miscarriage of justice." They contend that their son was wrongly implicated, citing that the prosecution's case relied heavily on "guilt by association" with the primary suspect, identified as Richile Vagnu. The evidence presented included a photograph of Oluwatobiloba with Vagnu and CCTV footage of him entering the venue where the incident later occurred, but crucially, no footage placed him at the scene of the robbery itself.

“

The only evidence presented against our son was a photograph showing him with the prime suspect and CCTV footage of him entering the venue where the incident later occurred. There is no CCTV footage placing him at the scene of the robbery itself.

The parents explained that Oluwatobiloba met Vagnu shortly after enrolling at the University of Leicester in September 2025 and that they were merely acquaintances. While Oluwatobiloba did attend a party on November 21, 2025, where the alleged robbery took place, his parents insist he did not participate in or benefit from the crime. They stated that he briefly entered a room, inquired about the situation, and immediately left, not wishing to be involved – a statement that has remained consistent.

“

Our son met him after resuming school. They were never close friends. They simply knew each other through campus.

Furthermore, the family highlighted that no stolen property, described by victims as jackets and footwear, was found in their son's possession despite police searches. They also questioned the financial evidence, noting that while money was transferred to accounts of other suspects, there was no evidence of any transfer into Oluwatobiloba's bank account. Adding to their appeal, the parents mentioned that some prosecution witnesses testified that Oluwatobiloba did not participate in the robbery, with one even stating he appeared to be trying to help the victims.

“

He briefly entered the room where the incident was taking place, asked what was happening, and left immediately because he did not want to be involved. That account was contained in his statement and has remained consistent throughout.