A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, identified as Gbenga Wemimo, has narrated in detail a disturbing encounter after realizing that a brand-new iPhone his wife bought in Nigeria was flagged as a stolen device in the UK. The shocking discovery has sparked fresh concerns about accountability, integrity, and transparency in Nigerian business practices, particularly in the technology retail sector.
Sharing his experience on the social media platform X, Wemimo explained that the iPhone was purchased last September at what was believed to be a reputable Apple-authorised store in Jakande, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. According to him, the choice to buy locally instead of purchasing abroad was intentional, as he wanted to support businesses within Nigeria and contribute to strengthening the country’s economy.
However, the ordeal began when he and his wife walked into the Apple Store at Westfield Stratford City Arcade in London, intending to trade in the device for a new model. To their dismay, the store attendant, after scanning the phone, announced that the device had been flagged as stolen. Wemimo revealed that at that very moment, only divine intervention prevented the matter from escalating into police involvement.
“My wife bought a brand new iPhone at the Apple store located at Jakande, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos last September. We decided to trade it in for a new one today at the Apple Store located at Westfield Stratford City Arcade (London) a few minutes ago. Only God did not let them call the police on us,” he recounted in his post.
He further explained that the attendant initially insisted that the iPhone had been reported stolen. This was surprising to him because the device was not second-hand but brand new, purchased from an Apple-approved outlet with all receipts available as proof. After further checks and consultation with her superiors, the store staff shifted their description, saying the phone had been reported “missing” instead of “stolen.” Despite the change of terms, the final declaration was that the iPhone had “zero swap value” and could not be traded in.
Wemimo expressed disappointment but admitted he was not entirely shocked. According to him, issues like this are the result of Nigerians who often cut corners for selfish gains, ignoring the long-term damage such practices cause. He warned that integrity should be valued above short-term profit, emphasizing that these questionable practices only destroy trust and push customers to prefer shopping abroad instead of supporting the local economy.
“The attendant scanned the iPhone and declared that it had been reported as stolen. Stolen from where? It was not a used iPhone. It was new, purchased from an approved Apple Store and we have all the receipts intact. The attendant saw our indignation and went ahead to consult with her superiors. They scanned again and they declared that it was reported ‘missing.’ They adjusted their language from stolen to missing and told us it has zero swap value,” he explained.
He continued, “I was not shocked at all even though I should be. Nigerians like cutting corners for unhealthy gains and they always believe this is good business for them as long as they were able to make a buck. Somehow we were able to walk out of that Apple Store without any drama, but I remember telling my wife that we would have had a lot of explaining to do if they had a policy that required them to report such incidents to the police.”
In conclusion, Wemimo advised Nigerian business owners to embrace integrity in their dealings. He lamented that incidents like these discourage Nigerians in the diaspora and at home from supporting local stores, ultimately hurting the economy. He stressed that trust and honesty remain priceless values that can elevate the Nigerian market if upheld consistently.
