Jimoh Adun

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

Respondent, sole principal of Nieko Solicitors, submitted 443 improper/fabricated claims for costs and disbursements to the Legal Aid Agency totalling £994,396.70 over roughly four years, based on non-existent clients and hearings that never took place. He then abandoned his practice, removed client files and computers, and failed to notify the SRA of the firm's closure, leading to intervention. The Tribunal found all allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, including an express finding of dishonesty under the Ivey test. It found no exceptional circumstances and ordered the Respondent struck off the Roll, with costs of £14,000.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Orderly wind-down and contingency cover
• Cooperate openly with regulators

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty alleged and proved
• Conduct deliberate, calculated and repeated over approximately four years
• Sought to conceal wrongdoing by telling LAA he was not responsible
• Must have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession
• Extensive impact: LAA lost nearly £1 million, staff lost jobs, disrupted service to vulnerable/detained clients, client files not recovered