Gbenga Adedapo Ogunrinde

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

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found all allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, holding that the Respondent had falsely and dishonestly held out Ms Olowu as a partner in his firm O S Johnson & Co over several years, including on Forms RF1, in correspondence with the SRA, and before a previous Tribunal division. Ms Olowu had never been a partner and was largely resident in Nigeria at material times. Applying the Twinsectra test, the Tribunal found the Respondent acted dishonestly. Preliminary applications of res judicata and abuse of process were refused. Regarding this as a serious case of dishonesty with no exceptional circumstances (per SRA v Sharma), the Tribunal struck the Respondent off the Roll and ordered him to pay costs of £21,256.84. His subsequent appeal was struck out by the High Court for non-compliance with directions.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Honesty
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct repeated over a number of years
• Dishonestly dealt with the regulator, a fellow professional, the public, his professional indemnity insurers and the Tribunal
• Profound repercussions on Ms Olowu, who was suspended from practice without fault or knowledge and subjected to a costs order
• Previous disciplinary appearance (suspended two years in June 2006)

Mitigating factors:

• Only one essential issue - holding out Ms Olowu as a partner
• No criminal conduct and no client funds involved
• Respondent did not blame Ms Olowu in prior proceedings and took responsibility then
• Personal hardship - loss of livelihood, repossession of home, depression, marriage breakdown
• On benefits since 2009