B O Okafor & O L Ohre-Emuobosa

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

Two solicitors of Basil & Co. Equity partner Basil Okafor was found to have dishonestly misappropriated clients' money (round-sum transfers totalling £152,070, £182,500 to third parties, school fees, minimum shortage £633,926.80) and to have breached the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998 (Rules 22, 32(1), 32(7)); he was struck off and ordered to pay costs of £4,480.90. Salaried partner Okeimute Ohre-Emuobosa was found liable for Accounts Rules breaches in his capacity as partner but no dishonesty was alleged or found; given strong mitigation he was suspended for 3 months and ordered to pay £2,000 costs. Costs on a several basis.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest and blatant taking of clients' money by Okafor (£182,500 paid to third parties; £152,070 round-sum transfers)
• Withholding documents/information from cashier
• Leaving the UK for Nigeria
• Conveyancing transactions unable to complete due to shortage

Mitigating factors:

• Ohre-Emuobosa not complicit in dishonesty and was a salaried partner
• Okafor concealed activities from Ohre-Emuobosa and denied him access to accounts
• Ohre-Emuobosa attempted to gain access to bank accounts and ensure reconciliations
• Ohre-Emuobosa reported matter to police, Law Society and Nigerian authorities
• Suffered threats from Okafor, loss of employment and family difficulties
• Full cooperation with the Law Society investigation and appearance before Tribunal