Omezie,Iban,Akinmoyo,Jasper,Orji & 2 Others

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

Consolidated SDT proceedings against solicitors and clerks connected with associated firms Omezie & Co, Anthony & Roberts, Woodland and Ravenstone, arising from repeated conveyancing transactions bearing hallmarks of mortgage fraud (back-to-back sales, sub-sales, undisclosed allowances, surpluses paid to third parties, and failures to inform lenders). The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty against Omezie, Iban and Akinmoyo, all three struck off. Akinmoyo also dishonestly withdrew client funds. Orji struck off the RFL register for a sham partnership. Bramble suspended 12 months (no dishonesty alleged). The fourth respondent fined £5,000, and Jasper subjected to a s.43 order. Costs totalling £91,000 ordered severally.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Disclose material information to client
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Honour professional undertakings
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Systematic and advertent course of conduct continued across successor firms
• Conduct persisted after being put on clear notice by successive Law Society inspections (2004-2007)
• Numerous repetitive transactions bearing hallmarks of mortgage fraud
• Misappropriation of client funds and absconding (Akinmoyo)
• Dishonest fabrication of a schedule of loans to mislead the inspector, solicitors and lender (Omezie/171 CW)
• Omezie's previous disciplinary finding (2004) for accounts rules breaches
• Exposure of the Compensation Fund

Mitigating factors:

• Respondents claimed inexperience and lack of training in conveyancing
• Some belief that assignments did not need reporting to lenders under the CML Handbook
• Admissions of the underlying facts and accounts rules breaches by Omezie and Iban
• Bramble's lesser, non-dishonest role and reliance on principals

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["unverified_costs_amount=91000"]