Paul Ifeanyi Okafor Izezulu

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

This was an application by Paul Ifeanyi Okafor Iwezulu to terminate a restriction imposed by the Tribunal on 2 February 2016 (which had reprimanded him and barred him from practising as a sole practitioner, partner or member of a Recognised Body/LLP/LDP/ABS). The original misconduct involved failures to supervise staff, ensure SAR compliance and control firm finances, but the 2016 Tribunal found he had been an unwitting victim of a fraud and made no finding of dishonesty or lack of integrity. The SRA had already lifted its own practising certificate condition in January 2020 and remained neutral on the application. The Tribunal found him genuine, remorseful and no longer a risk to the public, granted the application to remove the restriction, and ordered him to pay costs of £1,235.00 by instalments.

Mitigating factors:

• Applicant had been a victim of the firm's fraud and had no active role
• Full co-operation with the SRA
• Demonstrated remorse and insight
• Complied fully with the restriction for 4 years with no issues
• Paid all costs from the 2016 hearing
• Positive references including from current employer
• Ongoing continuing professional development
• Intention to work only as an employee
• No risk of repetition