Concerns As UK Rejects iPhone Bought In Lagos
A dispute that began at an Apple Store in London has sparked fresh questions about the authenticity of iPhones sold in Nigeria. The controversy has also drawn attention to weaknesses in global device verification and cross-border retail transparency.
Pastor Gbenga Samuel Wemimo of Gbenga Samuel Wemimo Ministries International (GSWMI) said he and his wife tried to trade in a brand-new iPhone purchased last September at an Apple-branded outlet in Jakande, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, during a visit to Apple’s Westfield Stratford City store in London.
According to his account, Apple staff scanned the phone and initially marked it as stolen, later classifying it as missing in Apple’s system. Despite the couple presenting receipts and proof of purchase, the trade-in was refused.
“Only God did not let them call the police on us,” Pastor Wemimo wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), which quickly went viral.
Are There Official Apple Stores in Nigeria?
The incident reignited debate about whether Apple runs any official stores in Nigeria. According to Apple’s store locator, customers in Nigeria are directed to authorized resellers and service providers, not Apple-owned retail stores. This confirms that Apple does not operate corporate stores in the country.
Instead, the Nigerian market relies on authorized partners and distributors such as Redington, which lists verified resellers like iStore and iConnect. These distributors encourage buyers to verify device authenticity through official channels before purchase.
Response From the Lekki Store
The Lekki outlet where the phone was purchased responded to Pastor Wemimo’s post, stating:
“We take authenticity seriously. We are reviewing the matter and kindly request the device’s IMEI/Serial number and purchase receipt for prompt verification. We remain committed to transparency and genuine Apple products.”
The store has since opened an internal review. Some customers also shared positive experiences online, confirming that their iPhones purchased from the same outlet were later verified as authentic overseas. These mixed accounts make the situation less clear-cut.
Experts Highlight Systemic Gaps
A source familiar with the matter said the case reveals three major issues:
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The absence of Apple-run stores makes consumers depend on reseller integrity.
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Global device-flagging systems are not always synchronized in real time.
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Grey-market imports and reporting errors can lead to false alerts abroad.
The source added that resolving such disputes often requires cooperation between retailers, distributors, and international device registries.
Wider Concerns About Device Fraud
The case comes amid growing global concern over brand impersonation and device fraud. A Check Point Research report for Q2 2025 named Microsoft, Google, and Apple as the three most impersonated brands in phishing scams, with Apple accounting for about nine percent of all global phishing attempts.
In Nigeria, technicians and consumer advocates have urged the government to tighten controls at the point of sale. The Association of Mobile Communication Device Technicians of Nigeria (AMCODET) has repeatedly called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce IMEI registration at purchase to curb theft and reselling of stolen phones.
The NCC introduced a Device Management System (NCC-DMS) in September 2024 to synchronize IMEI data with global blacklists and link mobile network operators under new regulations. Officials say the system will reduce the circulation of counterfeit or stolen devices, though implementation challenges remain.
Public Reactions and Global Context
Reactions online were divided. Some users claimed the episode proves that Apple does not officially recognize any store in Nigeria, while others cautioned that similar incidents have occurred elsewhere due to database mismatches. Others pointed out that legitimate devices bought overseas can later be flagged if the original owner reports them lost.
The debate also reflects how international policy disputes shape public perceptions. For instance, Indonesia rejected a $100 million investment proposal from Apple in 2024, maintaining a temporary ban on iPhone 16 sales—showing how national policies can affect perceptions of “official” availability.
What Nigerian Consumers Should Know
For buyers, the takeaway is clear:
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Purchase devices only from authorized resellers.
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Always keep receipts and register IMEI numbers when possible.
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Use official verification portals from distributors like Redington to confirm authenticity.
As the Lekki outlet continues its investigation, the verification of the phone’s IMEI and receipt remains key to resolving the matter.
Pastor Wemimo’s experience has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s smartphone supply chain and renewed calls for stronger enforcement of national device registration and more transparent global verification systems.
(Daily Sun)
