Today The Charity Commission published a new report which revealed a disability charity has been shut down after it was used as a front for criminal activity.
The Organisation of Blind Africans and Caribbeans (OBAC) – a charity originally founded in April 2012 in south London – has been axed from the public register and struck off by Companies House.
Published this morning, the final inquiry found Ibukun Olashore, CEO of the charity, was allowed to continue her role despite being convicted in 2022 of immigration-related crimes. She was found guilty of conspiracy to breach UK immigration law and conspiracy to possess identity documents with intent.
A judge ruled Olashore had used the charity ‘as a front’ to disguise her illegal activities and exploit vulnerable individuals for money.
What’s more, after she was convicted, Olashore was given strict instruction that she was to have nothing to do with the organisation, however four trustees were found to have allowed her to work regardless.
Just when matters couldn’t get any worse, the inquiry revealed the charity, which also provided education and training advice, was exposed to the risk of criminal conviction by continuing to offer immigration services, despite the Immigration Advice Authority rejecting their application in July 2022.
Commenting on the news, Amy Spiller, head of investigations at the Charity Commission, said: ‘To use a charity as a cover for criminal activity is wholly unacceptable and an abuse of trust. By allowing this to continue, the charity’s trustees have also abused the trust placed in them and failed to uphold their legal duties.’
Going forward, Ruth Bishop, Diib Jama and Rasheed Bello have been banned from taking part in any future charity work for five years, while Dwight Watson has been disqualified for three years. However, Olashore has banned from charity work indefinitely.
Going forward, Spiller added that the Commission will take robust action when charities are misused, in order to prevent further harm and protect trust in the wider sector.
OBAC is no longer permitted to operate and has ceased to exist as a registered organisation.
Photo by Sung Jin Cho via UnSplash.
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