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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Parents challenge UK court ruling against Nigerian student

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Parents of a Nigerian student convicted of robbery in the UK are appealing the verdict, asserting his innocence.
  • They claim the conviction of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola relies on circumstantial evidence and association with the main suspect, not direct proof.
  • The family highlights a lack of recovered stolen items or financial transactions linking their son to the crime, and questions the court proceedings.

The parents of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, a Nigerian student convicted of robbery and blackmail in the United Kingdom, are challenging the court's decision, maintaining their son's innocence. A UK court found Oluwatobiloba guilty on June 19, with sentencing scheduled for July 27. His parents, Mr. Aderinkola and Mrs. Olayinka Akinrinola, argue that the conviction is based on weak circumstantial evidence and his association with the primary suspect, rather than concrete proof.

Our son is innocent of the charges against him. The police argument against him is that he is guilty by association with the prime suspect.

— Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka AkinrinolaStating their belief in their son's innocence and the basis of the prosecution's case.

According to the parents, Oluwatobiloba met the alleged ringleader, Richile Vagnu, only after enrolling at Leicester University in September 2025, describing their relationship as mere acquaintances. They assert that while their son was present at a party where the alleged robbery occurred on November 21, 2025, he did not participate in the crime or benefit from any proceeds. Some victims reportedly testified during the trial that Oluwatobiloba was not among the perpetrators.

The family further contends that police searches of their son's residence yielded none of the stolen items. Additionally, they point out that while evidence of money transfers from victims to accounts linked to other suspects was presented, no such transactions involved Oluwatobiloba's bank accounts. CCTV footage presented in court reportedly only showed him arriving at the party venue, not participating in the robbery itself.

The police said they found evidence that money was transferred by the victims to the accounts of the other suspects, Vagnu and Ayomide Ibraheem, but no such evidence was found in our son’s bank records.

— Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka AkinrinolaHighlighting the lack of financial evidence linking their son to the crime.

The Akinrinolas also question why some suspects allegedly identified by victims were not brought before the court. They highlight a victim's testimony suggesting Oluwatobiloba appeared to be trying to help those affected, not commit a crime. Their son voluntarily contacted the police after seeing a social media video related to the incident, a move his parents believe demonstrates his lack of involvement.

The family said their son voluntarily contacted the police after seeing a social media video link

— The PunchMentioning the student's proactive step in contacting authorities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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