Richard A A Adesakin & Babasoji O Doherty

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

At the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, solicitor Richard Adesakin (First Respondent) and registered foreign lawyer Babasoji Doherty (Second Respondent), partners at Vincent Doherty and Co, faced allegations following an SRA forensic investigation revealing serious Solicitors Accounts Rules breaches, client account being used unconnected with legal transactions, improper withdrawals causing substantial client losses, and failures to co-operate. The Tribunal found the First Respondent provided inaccurate/misleading information to the LCS, failed to co-operate, and committed accounts breaches (allegations 2.1 and 2.2 not proven against him), and struck him off the Roll. The Second Respondent had all allegations proven, including an express finding of dishonesty under the Twinsectra test in relation to the improper withdrawal and transfer of £150,000 from a client matter to a Credit Suisse account; he was struck off the Register of Foreign Lawyers. Costs were assessed at £30,000, apportioned 40% (£12,000) to the First Respondent and 60% (£18,000) to the Second Respondent, not to be enforced without permission save by charging order.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Act in the client's best interests
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Previous disciplinary findings against both Respondents (2005, including mortgage fraud hallmarks and accounting failures)
• Substantial losses to clients; minimum cash shortage of £223,022.87 plus potential further shortage of £315,994
• Dishonest transfer of £150,000 to a foreign account (Second Respondent)
• Sustained failure to co-operate despite numerous requests

Mitigating factors:

• First Respondent was deceived and kept 'in the dark' by the Second Respondent
• First Respondent did not benefit personally and had limited involvement (signing Certificates of Title, inadequate supervision)
• First Respondent's apology, remorse, character references and testimonials
• First Respondent's financial hardship (discharged bankrupt, unemployed)