Struck Off Solicitor Sentenced for Illegally Providing Immigration Advice
24/06/2009
A bogus adviser from London was sentenced yesterday (24 June) at Westminster City Magistrates Court for illegally providing immigration advice.
Peter Madu Obidi, who was struck off the Roll of Solicitors in November 2005, continued to provide immigration advice and services illegally, despite his knowledge of the requirement to register with the OISC.
Obidi, 50, carried out his illegal activities from his company Dunamis Solicitors trading from Tower Bridge Road, London. He pleaded guilty to five counts of illegally providing immigration advice and services after charges were brought against him following an OISC investigation.
Obidi was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, on each charge to run concurrently. He was also ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service.
An OISC spokesperson said, Peter Obidi was in a position of trust and knowingly breached the regulations. Peddling illegal immigration advice is a serious matter and can ruin peoples lives. The OISC will continue to seek out and prosecute those like Obidi who illegally provide immigration advice or services.
In the UK, immigration advisers must be registered by the OISC, unless they are exempted by a ministerial order or belong to a designated professional body, for example, the Law Society.
The OISC currently regulates over 4.000 advisers across the UK and provides a list of those regulated on its website www.oisc.gov.uk
Notes to the Editor
1. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is an independent public body set up under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
2. Since 30 April 2001 it has been a criminal offence for an adviser to provide immigration advice or services unless their organisation:
has registered with the OISC;
has been exempted from registration by the OISC or ministerial order; or
is otherwise qualified under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
3. The OISC is responsible for ensuring that all immigration advisers fulfil the requirements of good practice. The OISC is committed to the elimination of unscrupulous advisers and the fair and thorough investigation of complaints. Whilst it does not regulate solicitors it does take complaints against solicitors.
4. For more information contact Sharon Harris, Assistant Communications Officer at the OISC, on 020 7211 1619.
