Abiodun Oludare Odunlami

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

Abiodun Oludare Odunlami, a solicitor, faced multiple allegations. The Tribunal found proved: failure to deliver an Accountant's Report (Rule 35 SAR), breach of practising certificate conditions by holding himself out as a solicitor and appearing in court without SRA approval (Principles 6 and 7), failure to fulfil undertakings to redeem mortgages on completion (Rule 10.05), and failure to disclose material information to lender clients (Rule 1.04). Allegations 1.2, 1.3 and 1.7 were found not proved, and allegation 1.8 (which had included dishonesty) was withdrawn at the outset; no express finding of dishonesty was made. Given this was his third appearance before the Tribunal and his repeated misconduct, lack of insight and the substantial harm to clients, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll. Costs were assessed at £45,000 (reduced from £81,218.10, with £8,400 deducted relating to the withdrawn allegation 1.8), not to be enforced without leave of the Tribunal save that the Applicant may apply for a Charging Order over the Respondent's property.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Disclose material information to client
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Third appearance before the Tribunal, having previously been fined £11,500 and suspended for one year
• Repetition of conduct previously dealt with (failure to file Accountant's Report and failure to fulfil undertakings)
• No insight and failure to accept responsibility; sought to blame his staff
• Clients suffered substantial losses
• Deliberate disregard of conditions imposed following suspension, showing serious disrespect for the regulator

Mitigating factors:

• Unemployed in the UK for the previous five years
• Recently working in Nigeria at a much lower rate of pay
• Submitted he had been the victim of the unlawful actions of others (L Solicitors and clients)