UK-Based Nigerian Replaces Shoes, Watch Allegedly Stolen From Badenoch

A Nigerian residing in the United Kingdom, James Akinwade has replaced the shoes and wristwatch that Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Conservative Party, claimed were stolen from her brother by members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Akinwande’s Instagram profile indicated he was the international manager of popular Nigerian comedian, Kenny Blaq.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Badenoch claimed in an interview that went viral that some Police officers stole her brother’s belongings while they were in Nigeria.

“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.

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“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 said in the December 2024 interview.

The statement sparked reactions, with some Nigerians, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, accusing her of repeatedly tarnishing her homeland’s image.

Kemi recently mentioned again that the Nigerian political system destroys lives, vowing to do the opposite with her office.

In response to her comments, Akinwande recorded a video showing him purchasing a pair of shoes and a wristwatch in a UK store.

He also visited the Conservative Party’s headquarters, where he handed the items to security personnel to be delivered to Badenoch.

“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..), ” Akinwade wrote at the end of the video.

The video has since gone viral on social media, but Akinwande’s original video has been taken down.