Emmanuel Odunlami, a music manager originally from Nigeria, was fatally stabbed in the UK by robbers who were reportedly after his expensive watch. According to reports, Odunlami was attacked by three robbers after celebrating his birthday at a party, which was held at a restaurant near St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 1, 2022.
It is alleged that the robbers were tipped off about Odunlami’s watch by Kavindu Hettiarachchi, a security operator who was responsible for protecting guests attending the event. Hettiarachchi is accused of alerting the robbers to Odunlami’s watch, which was a Patek Philippe Nautilus, and providing them with information on his whereabouts.
The robbers, who believed the watch to be genuine, were armed with a knife and attacked Odunlami in an attempt to steal the watch. During the attack, Odunlami was kicked and beaten by the robbers and suffered a fatal wound to the chest. One of the robbers, identified as Quincy Ffrench, was heard saying “got it” as he took the watch from Odunlami.
Menzies, Ffrench, and Vandrose, who were allegedly involved in the robbery, have been charged with murder, while Hettiarachchi faces charges of being involved in the robbery and manslaughter.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hettiarachchi had been hired by the event organizer to ensure the safety of the guests, but instead provided information to the robbers. The trial is ongoing, and the defendants have denied the charges against them.
