C B Izegbu, Samuel N Okoronkwo & Another

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

In a case involving three respondents concerning firms 'Jonathan & Co' and 'Alberts' (Alberts 1 and 2), a non-solicitor (Mr Okoronkwo) provided capital and effectively controlled solicitors' practices through sham arrangements. Ms Izegbu was found to have breached Practice Rule 7, entered a sham agreement, permitted a non-solicitor to control bank accounts, failed to keep proper books and failed to use a client account. The Tribunal made an express finding that she was dishonest, having given deliberately untruthful evidence intended to mislead it, and struck her off the Roll with £33,000 costs. The second respondent was found to have breached Rule 7 and account rules but acted from naiveté, not dishonesty; he was fined £5,000 with £5,000 costs. Mr Okoronkwo, a non-solicitor, was found to have entered sham agreements, operated client funds without proper accounts, and knowingly made a false statement about his professional record to obtain admission; he was made subject to a Section 43 order with £22,000 costs. Several allegations (including alleged sham arrangement with the second respondent and dishonesty findings from the earlier High Court intervention) were found not proved.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper fee-sharing or partnership

Aggravating factors:

• Ms Izegbu gave deliberately dishonest and untruthful evidence to the Tribunal despite an express warning from the Chairman
• Ms Izegbu sought to exploit a website typing error and fabricated an account of telephone advice
• Mr Okoronkwo was the lynchpin and driving force controlling the practices
• Mr Okoronkwo's lack of candour/disingenuous explanation on his admission application

Mitigating factors:

• RESPONDENT 2 was naive and disorganised rather than dishonest; honestly believed he was a partner
• RESPONDENT 2 acted promptly to bring the firm into compliance and was open with the Law Society
• RESPONDENT 2 had already lost his practising certificate and been made bankrupt
• Mr Okoronkwo bore lesser responsibility for the Izegbu arrangement having relied on her professional advice