The family of a Nigerian student convicted of robbery and blackmail in the United Kingdom has appealed for a review of the judgment, insisting that their son was wrongly convicted and had no involvement in the offences.
Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka Akinrinola made the appeal following the conviction of their son, Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, by a UK court on June 19, 2026.
The student is currently being held in a prison in Nottingham pending sentencing scheduled for July 27.
According to his parents, the conviction was largely based on circumstantial evidence and his association with the principal suspect, identified as Richile Vagnu.
The family alleged that prosecutors relied heavily on a photograph showing Oluwatobiloba with Vagnu and CCTV footage that captured him arriving at the venue where the robbery allegedly took place on November 21, 2025.
They explained that their son met Vagnu shortly after gaining admission as a first-year student at University of Leicester in September 2025, describing the relationship as casual rather than close.
“Our son was present at the party where the incident took place, but he was never involved in the robbery,” the parents stated.
The family further claimed that some victims testified during the trial that Oluwatobiloba was not among those who carried out the robbery. According to them, witnesses told the court that he briefly entered the room where the incident occurred, asked what was happening, and left after indicating that he did not want any involvement.
They also argued that police searches conducted at their son’s residence failed to uncover any of the items allegedly stolen from the victims, including clothing and footwear.
Questioning the outcome of the trial, the parents expressed concern that some individuals allegedly linked more directly to the incident were not prosecuted.
“The court insists our son is guilty, yet other suspects were allowed to go free. One of them was identified by victims as having prevented them from leaving the room where the robbery occurred,” they said.
The family further alleged that CCTV footage presented during the proceedings did not place Oluwatobiloba at the scene of the robbery itself beyond showing him arriving at the party venue.
According to them, police were also unable to produce some suspects in court because they allegedly failed to honour invitations issued during the investigation.
They further claimed that one of the victims testified that Oluwatobiloba appeared to be assisting those affected rather than participating in the crime.
The parents disclosed that shortly after the incident, their son came across a social media video linking him to the alleged attack. Concerned by the accusations, he reportedly contacted the police voluntarily and made himself available for questioning.
According to the family, officers informed him at the time that he was not regarded as a suspect.
Describing their son as peaceful, sociable and without any prior criminal record, the couple urged UK authorities to re-examine the case.
“We are devastated. Our son is about to suffer for a crime he did not commit. We want the world to hear our side of the story and for the UK authorities to review the case,” they said.
The family also called on legal institutions, human rights organisations and other stakeholders to scrutinise the circumstances surrounding the conviction and ensure that justice is done.
However, there has been no public response from the court authorities regarding the allegations raised by the family, and the conviction remains valid pending sentencing.