JOHN OJAKOVOH
YEAR OF CALL 2008
‘John is highly intelligent, has a good eye for detail and is very thoroughly prepared. He is liked by judges and extremely effective in cross-examination.’
The Legal 500 2024
John Ojakovoh prosecutes and defends, both privately and publicly funded, with a successful practice in complex fraud, cybercrime, and other serious and organised crime.
John has extensive experience leading teams in complex cases, regularly acting as Leading Counsel, often against King’s Counsel opponents. He stands out for his natural leadership and sound strategic judgement, always focused on achieving the best possible outcome for his clients, whether defending or prosecuting at trial, or concluding matters without a trial.
As a Grade 4 (the highest) on the CPS General, Fraud and Serious Crime Panels, John brings an in-depth understanding of complex disclosure and PII, and issues arising from IPA and RIPA, whether prosecuting or defending.
John has also been appointed to the SFO Prosecution Panel A, and is often described as a “go-to person” for fraud and cybercrime.
John also undertakes private instructions to represent companies, charities, company directors, shareholders, and consortiums, defending and pursuing private prosecutions.
To all his work, John brings an ability to master complex financial, technical, and voluminous evidence quickly with his Mathematics background, MBA, and IT, finance, and accounting expertise from his previous city career in strategy consulting.
John also has a busy advisory practice, whether instructed by prosecution or defence. Examples of areas in which John has advised include: Abuse of Process; Complex issues of Admissibility and Disclosure; Private Prosecution; Allegations of Fraud in the Education Sector, High Street Retail, and Stockbroking; Trademark Offences; Perverting the Course of Justice; Unduly Lenient Sentence; and Mutual Legal Assistance.
Examples of current instructions
R v M and others: Defending client, first on the Indictment, in large-scale and complex three-handed case involving more than 30 allegations of Fraudulent Trading and Environmental Protection Act offences.
Operation Elaborate: As Leading Counsel, prosecuted to conviction and sentence founder of ‘iSpoof’ website for Fraud Act and Cryptocurrency money laundering offences. Widely reported as the Metropolitan Police’s largest ever fraud investigation, involved victims’ losses of £100 million. Confiscation proceedings are ongoing.
https://www.ft.com/content/9239cc58-cbee-42c1-87c1-4c14327203b9
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65649776
Operation Miching: As Leading Counsel, prosecuted one of largest ever dark web drugs conspiracies, a, five-handed £20-million counterfeit Pfizer drug supply conspiracy and cryptocurrency money laundering. Following the Newton hearing and sentencing, confiscation proceedings are ongoing.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/wessex/news/three-imprisoned-one-britains-largest-dark-web-drugs-cases
Operation Prism: As Leading Counsel, prosecuted trial and sentence of Director of biofuel company on four counts of theft from investors and money laundering. Confiscation proceedings are ongoing.
Operation Spree: Prosecuting three-handed cybercrime trial of Conspiracy to Cheat the public Revenue and conspiracies to launder the proceeds.
Operation Belshazzar: As Leading Counsel, prosecuting twelve-handed Class A drug importation (approaching one tonne of cocaine and heroin), drug supply and money laundering, arising out of Operation Venetic ‘EncroChat’ investigation.
R v J (Operation Belshazzar): As Leading Counsel, prosecuted trial of a lorry driver involved in five importations. He awaits sentencing, together with six other defendants – two awaiting Newton hearings – who have pleaded guilty. Two others have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Three await trial.
Operation Genie: As Leading Counsel, prosecuting five-handed allegation of cocaine importation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50815509
Examples of previous instructions
R v C: As Leading Counsel, defended company director of care home business against charges of Cheating the Public Revenue and four counts of Fraud, arising from allegations of deliberate failure to submit returns to HMRC and pay £300,000 in employees’ PAYE and National Insurance after care home entered administration. After a detailed defence and prolonged and extensive disclosure requests and applications, the Prosecution offered no evidence and the client was acquitted.
R v T and Others: Prosecuted two-handed trial on cannabis importation and firearms offences. Subsequently sentenced with a third defendant who pleaded guilty to the importation.
Operation Hygrology: Prosecuted to conviction attempted possession of prohibited weapon.
R v T: Prosecuted trial in a private prosecution for a cancer charity. Responded to Appeal against Conviction. Macmillan Cancer Support v Toogood [2022] EWCA Crim 633.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2022/633.html
Operation Subtlety: Led by QC, prosecuted to conviction blackmail of Apple Inc., and Computer Misuse offences.
R v EE: Prosecuted trial of cyberfraud on US pension fund.
https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/home/25935/west-berkshire-man-jailed-for-us-pension-fraud.html
R v GE: As Leading Counsel, prosecuted Computer Misuse and Bitcoin money laundering.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/02/15/refud_cryptex_kingpin_goncalo_esteves_jailed/
R v TJ: As Leading Counsel, prosecuted Gift Aid Tax Fraud trial and confiscation hearing.
https://www.accountancydaily.co/church-leader-jailed-ps150k-gift-aid-fraud
R v F: Prosecuted £1 million fraud by company CEO.
R v CW & Others: Defended in money laundering associated with boiler room and binary options fraud.
For background: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6414297/Towie-star-Mike-Hassini-spared-jail-money-laundering-boiler-room-diamond-investment-scam.html
R v O: Defended two-handed HMRC cyber fraud.
Operation Boutade: Prosecuted drugs conspiracy trial, later upheld on appeal R v Arthur Boxall [2020] EWCA Crim 688
https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/32-years-in-prison-for-duo-caught-supplying-cocaine
R v M: Defended alleged £5-6 million cigarette duty fraud.
R v CL: Defended five-handed drug-trafficking conspiracy trial.
Re B: Defended cash forfeiture (alleged Hatton Garden burglary proceeds, all cash returned to client).
For background: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-held-hatton-garden-cops-7679790
R v H: Prosecuted trial of four armed robberies with firearm, leading to conviction of the only defendant not to plead guilty.
R v I: Defended trial of alleged s18 (originally attempted murder, victim's forehead sliced off with meat cleaver).
JOjakovoh@2hb.co.uk
