Apple Store Lekki Faces Legal Heat Over Gbenga Samuel-Wemimo’s Stolen iPhone Claim

A routine iPhone trade-in attempt at an Apple Store in London has escalated into an international legal and social media dispute involving Nigerian pastor and influencer Gbenga Samuel-Wemimo, his wife, and the Apple Store Lekki outlet in Lagos, Nigeria.

The case has sparked heated debates about business ethics, consumer rights, and the reliability of Apple’s global device blacklisting system.

The controversy began on June 12, 2024, when Gbenga purchased a brand-new iPhone 13 from the Apple Store Lekki as a gift for his wife.

More than a year later, in August 2025, the couple visited the Apple Store at Westfield Stratford City Arcade in London to trade in the phone for a higher-storage model. Based on Apple’s online estimates, they expected a trade-in value of up to £399. Instead, a scan of the device flagged it as “stolen” in Apple’s global database.

Gbenga later recounted the moment in a detailed X (formerly Twitter) post on August 21, 2025, describing the tension as the store’s security officer adjusted his stance, with the couple facing the potential involvement of the police.

After a second scan, the phone’s status changed to “missing,” but the device was still rejected for a full trade-in and was valued at only £199. They left the store unsettled but relieved to avoid arrest.

Back at their hotel, Gbenga shared screenshots of WhatsApp exchanges with a representative from Apple Store Lekki, where the phone had originally been purchased. His wife attempted to resolve the matter, but the situation intensified when the store allegedly threatened legal action, accusing Gbenga of defamation and demanding he take down his post.

The dispute quickly spread across X. Supporters, such as @OlumideAgbosasa and @Bosun_ojute, urged Gbenga to pursue legal redress, while critics accused him of seeking attention.

New accounts, believed to be linked to the store’s staff, reportedly trolled Gbenga and circulated false personal details about his wife, which further fueled outrage. Nigerian startup TechBlacklist, which offers IMEI verification services, joined the debate by highlighting systemic issues in global device tracking.

Gbenga, a pastor with a strong online following since 2011, framed the incident as a matter of integrity rather than financial gain, stating he wanted accountability, not revenge.

His wife, who had first initiated the trade-in process, remained central to the exchanges with the Apple Store in Lekki. The Lagos outlet’s aggressive response drew heavy criticism, with some commentators suggesting mismanagement or involvement in gray-market practices.

The case also sheds light on broader concerns around device blacklisting. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently introduced the Device Management System (NCC-DMS) to combat theft by blocking unregistered phones.

However, legitimate purchases are sometimes flagged, often due to fraudulent insurance claims overseas. A 2023 British Retail Consortium report even documented a 15% rise in theft-related trade-in disputes linked to such blacklisting.

As of today, the dispute remains unresolved. Gbenga’s legal team has filed notice of criminal proceedings against Apple Store Lekki, demanding a public apology and compensation for reputational damage.

Although the store has since deleted the false personal information it shared, it has not issued a formal statement. Apple’s global headquarters has also remained silent, possibly awaiting local resolution.