Akin Joseph Adaramaja

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

The Respondent was retained to defend the elderly Complainant (aged 82, resident in the US) in a property suit, which was lost. On 9 December 2009 he received the proceeds of sale of J$3,906,505.00 (then approx. US$47,066.32) on her behalf but concealed receipt of the money, failed to account to her, and misappropriated it, admitting to her agent that he had taken the money. The Panel found the complaint proved beyond reasonable doubt, found express dishonesty, and ordered him struck off the Roll. He was also ordered to make restitution plus interest and to pay costs.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Abuse of trust of an elderly client aged 82 residing abroad
• Concealment of receipt of the money from the client
• Forced the Complainant to lay a complaint through an agent and travel to Jamaica to give evidence
• Failed to respond to the Complaint