Immigration Solicitors

A man convicted of offering unregulated immigration advice has been asked to repay £55,789 under a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Confiscation Order.

Martin Solomon Randolph Kekurah, 64 – a Sierra Leone national of Fortune Place, Bermondsey in southeast London – appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday 4 March and was ordered to pay £55,789 within the next three months, or serve a further 18 months’ in jail in default of payment.

On 3 July 2015, Kekurah had been convicted of providing illegal immigration advice and services and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.

At the time of the original sentencing in 2015, Judge Nicolas Lorraine-Smith said:

“I’m satisfied you are manipulative and greedy – you have been preying on vulnerable people who needed immigration advice.

“You knew what you were doing was wrong and you have done everything possible to avoid detection and conviction.”

In delivering his judgment, His Honour Judge Lorraine-Smith said he had no hesitation in finding that Kekurah had a criminal lifestyle – and that he was a “fraudsman to his fingertips”.

The court found Kekurah had told lies throughout the proceedings – and his explanations of his financial affairs were “simply unbelievable”.

Judge Lorraine-Smith told the court that rarely had he heard “a less credible witness”.

The Judge rejected Kekurah’s evidence and told the court Kekurah “had survived by fraud throughout his time in this country”.

Kekurah’s benefit from crime was found to be more than £500,000 – however, he only had the sum of £5,789 in bank accounts that could be traced. As many of the accounts were in false names, the Judge was satisfied that Kekurah had hidden assets of £50,000.

The Judge said that the victims of Kekurah’s crimes should receive compensation.

The orders against Kekurah were the result of the combined efforts of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and the Metropolitan Police Regional Asset Recovery Team, based at Charing Cross Police Station in central London.

Following the confiscation proceedings, Deputy Immigration Services Commissioner, Dr Ian Leigh, said:

“The OISC is here to ensure that people seeking immigration advice are treated fairly by people they can trust and who are fit and competent.

“Mr Kekurah operated outside the law. My office will continue to identify and prosecute those who break the law and we will use all necessary legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Act to pursue lawbreakers.

“The OISC is very appreciative of the support and assistance given by the Metropolitan Police London Regional Asset Recovery Team in this case.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is one of the UK’s leading firms of immigration solicitors and can advise EU migrants and non-EU migrants on a wide range of immigration law, including right to work in the UK, British citizenship, access to benefits and visa applications and appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our specialist immigration lawyers are also able to advise on asylum applications and appeals, illegal entry to the UK, modern slavery, detention under the Immigration Act – and UK immigration and the Human Rights Act.

For expert legal advice on UK immigration law, call Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For help with an urgent immigration matters such as detention under the Immigration Act, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607, where an accredited immigration lawyer is available 24/7.