A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, has replaced a pair of shoes and a wristwatch reportedly stolen from Kemi Badenoch’s brother by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Badenoch, the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, made the claim in a December 2024 interview, accusing the Nigerian police of stealing her brother’s belongings and calling their actions an abuse of power.
In her interview, Badenoch recounted her negative experience with the Nigerian police, contrasting it with her positive first encounter with the police in the UK.
“My experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative, and coming to the UK, my first experience with the police was very positive. The police in Nigeria would rob us. I remember the police stealing my brother’s shoes and his watch. It’s a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things,” she said.
Her comments about Nigeria have sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, accusing her of continuously tarnishing her homeland’s image.
In response, Akinwande took to social media with a video showing him purchasing new shoes and a wristwatch in a UK store.
He then proceeded to the Conservative Party headquarters, where he handed the items to security staff to be delivered to Badenoch.
At the end of the video, Akinwande wrote, “On behalf of every proud Nigerian who felt genuinely hurt by those unfounded disparaging remarks about the Nigerian Police. We ‘buy back’ the stolen shoes and watch! (I hope it fits, tho..).”
The video quickly went viral on social media, although Akinwande later deleted the original post.
According to his Instagram profile, Akinwande is the international manager for well-known Nigerian comedian, Kenny Blaq.
