James Akinwande, a Nigerian residing in the United Kingdom, has restored a pair of shoes and a wristwatch that were reportedly taken from Kemi Badenoch’s brother by Nigeria Police Force agents.
Badenoch, the head of the UK Conservative Party, recently stated in an interview that several NPF officers stole her brother’s possessions.
She regarded the police officers’ actions as abuses of power.
“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,” Badenoch stated in the December 2024 interview.
Her comments regarding Nigeria and its leadership have elicited diverse reactions, with some Nigerians, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, accusing her of repeatedly harming the country’s image.
In response to her remarks, Akinwande posted a video of himself purchasing a pair of shoes and a wristwatch in a UK retailer.
He then went to the Conservative Party headquarters and gave over the things to security staff, who brought them 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, though.)”
The video has gone viral on social media; however, Akinwande’s original video has been removed.
According to Akinwande’s Instagram, he is the international manager of Kenny Blaq, a prominent Nigerian comedian.