Mutalib Kayode Abiodun Michael Adelasoye

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

The Respondent, an immigration solicitor, submitted two mortgage reference forms to lenders falsely purporting to be completed and signed by his employer with enhanced salary figures (£78,000 instead of £25,000). He was separately convicted at Croydon Crown Court of two counts of dishonest false representation (42 months) and at Lewes Crown Court of conspiracy to facilitate breaches of immigration laws (4 years) involving a large-scale sham marriage scheme. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, including an express finding of dishonesty on the mortgage form allegation. The Respondent did not attend, denied wrongdoing and blamed others. The Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £13,609.32.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• AML and crime-prevention compliance

Aggravating factors:

• Planned, premeditated fraud
• High value involved (£323,000)
• Abused position of trust as a solicitor
• Blamed others and lied to the jury
• Massive, systematic large-scale immigration fraud involving ~360 sham marriages
• No remorse or insight; continued to deny wrongdoing

Mitigating factors:

• Hard work and persistence to qualify as a solicitor against difficult odds
• Charitable work (set up Ark of Hope charity assisting refugees/asylum seekers)
• Personal, financial and health difficulties during the relevant period