By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
THE UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has charged Akhmed Yakoob, a Birmingham solicitor and former political candidate, with money laundering offences.
Akhmed Yakoob, 37, and accountant Nabeel Afzal, 38, each face three charges. These are: money laundering, encouraging money laundering, and failing to carry out customer due diligence when starting a business relationship.
The charges follow an investigation by the NCA. The alleged offences took place between 18 February 2020 and 8 January 2021.
Both men are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 17 June.
In a statement, the NCA said: “A solicitor and an accountant have been charged with money laundering offences following a National Crime Agency investigation.” It confirmed that Yakoob, from Perry Barr, and Afzal, from Edgbaston, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Yakoob, widely known on social media as the “TikTok lawyer,” ran as an Independent candidate in Birmingham Ladywood during the 2024 general election.
He came second to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Earlier in 2024, he ran in the West Midlands mayoral election, where he finished third with 69,621 votes.
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