Godwin Nwankwo Ijomanta

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

The Respondent, a solicitor practising as Mantas & Co, completed a professional indemnity insurance proposal form in August 2005 and answered "No" to whether any fee earner had practised in a firm subject to a Law Society investigation, despite his firm having been subject to two investigative/monitoring visits in early 2005. The Tribunal found beyond reasonable doubt that this information was false and misleading and given dishonestly under the Twinsectra test (Allegation 1.1 proved). Allegation 1.2 (breach of undertaking) was not proved as the proposal form term was not a true professional undertaking. Allegation 1.3 (failure to cooperate with the SRA) was not proved as the Respondent may not have received the single relevant letter. Given the finding of dishonesty and two prior suspensions, 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 High Court appeal and renewed Court of Appeal application were dismissed.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court

Aggravating factors:

• Finding of dishonesty
• Two previous appearances before the Tribunal, both resulting in suspension from practice
• Numerous professional negligence claims against the firm potentially requiring insurer compensation, making the misleading information serious in practice

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent not working and had very little money, maintained by family and friends