Godwin Nwankwo Ijomanta

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Respondent, a solicitor practising as Mantas & Co, was found to have given false and misleading information on a professional indemnity insurance proposal form by answering 'No' to whether any fee earner had practised in a firm subject to a Law Society investigation, despite two investigations of his firm in 2005. The Tribunal found this was done dishonestly under the Twinsectra test. Two other allegations (breach of undertaking and failure to cooperate with the SRA) were not proved. In light of the dishonesty finding and prior disciplinary history, the Respondent was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £7,825.50, not to be enforced without leave of the Tribunal. His subsequent appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal were dismissed/refused.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court

Aggravating factors:

• Two previous disciplinary appearances, each resulting in suspension
• Numerous professional negligence claims against the firm on which insurers may be required to pay compensation
• Not a credible witness

Mitigating factors:

• Not currently working and maintained by family and friends with very little money