Luxury Turns Deadly as Nigerian-Born Music Manager Killed for Wearing £300k Watch in UK
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
A tragic incident has rocked the music industry as a Nigerian-born music manager, Emmanuel Odunlami, was fatally stabbed following his birthday celebration at a restaurant in London.
The 32-year-old reportedly wore a luxurious Patek Philippe Nautilus watch worth between £90,000 and £300,000 at the time of the attack.
According to reports from the Old Bailey, three robbers attacked Odunlami outside the Haz restaurant in the City of London on May 1, 2022.
Although the court heard that the robbers were allegedly tipped off by a security operator, Kavindu Hettiarachchi, who was part of the security team hired for the event organized by Playhxuse.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC revealed that Hettiarachchi had a vital role to play in ensuring the safety of attendees, including Odunlami. However, instead of protecting the victim, the security operator informed the robbers about the valuable watch.
Odunlami was reported to had driven to the city in his grey hatchback Mercedes to celebrate his birthday with friends. He purchased tickets for a £1,400 table at the private ticketed brunch and afterparty with a DJ.
As the event came to an end around 11 p.m., Hettiarachchi was caught on camera filming outside the venue and calling Louis Vandrose.
Vandrose and Jordell Menzies were then allegedly driven by Quincy Ffrench in a white Mercedes with altered number plates from northwest London.
The prosecutor stated that the evidence showed that the trio was planning to carry out a robbery, and their target was the Haz restaurant where Hettiarachchi was working and to which he had summoned them by phone.
The tragic incident has left the music industry in shock as friends and colleagues mourn the loss of Emmanuel Odunlami.
