Controversial lawyer and political figure Akhmed Yakoob faces serious money laundering charges from the National Crime Agency, challenging his legal career and political ambitions amid ongoing public backlash over his contentious social media presence.
Controversial TikTok lawyer Akhmed Yakoob has recently come under scrutiny following allegations of money laundering. The 37-year-old solicitor and accountant Nabeel Azfal, aged 38, face accusations from the National Crime Agency for activities spanning from February 2020 to January 2021. They are charged with money laundering, encouraging money laundering, and failing to apply necessary customer due diligence measures in a business context. Yakoob is set to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 17, as he attempts to navigate these serious allegations.
In a defiant response circulated through his substantial social media following of 211,000, Yakoob dismissed concerns with a post stating, “Today’s newspapers are only going to be used to wrap up tomorrow’s bag of chips. All is well. Alhamdulillah. Remember that.” This attitude is consistent with his online persona, where he often emphasises that “there is a defence for every offence,” aiming to educate his audience on legal rights and justice reform.
Yakoob’s career began in earnest after his graduation from the University of Wolverhampton, where he earned his law degree. A qualified solicitor since May 2014, he is currently a director at Maurice Andrews Solicitors in Birmingham. His commitment to social justice and fair representation, motivated by personal experiences related to violent crime, has also propelled him into political life. Yakoob stood as an independent candidate in last year’s West Midlands mayoral election, securing nearly 70,000 votes—enough to finish third behind leading candidates from the Labour Party and the Conservatives. He also narrowly lost to Labour MP Shabana Mahmood in the Birmingham Ladywood constituency election, obtaining 33% of the vote.
Despite his legal undertakings and political aspirations, Yakoob’s candidacy has been marred by controversy. Notably, he has faced backlash for past comments considered misogynistic and after sharing a doctored viral video that falsely accused a teacher of racism. Following the incident, he paid damages to the affected teacher, indicating a willingness to rectify the harm caused. Furthermore, his public endorsement of figures like George Galloway—a politician with a divisive reputation—has intensified debates surrounding his political alignment and the potential ramifications for his campaign.
Yakoob’s positions on contentious political issues, including his pro-Palestinian stance and his defence of various global justice causes, have garnered significant attention online. His comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and domestic issues reflect a growing discontent within parts of the British electorate concerning established political norms. However, his remarks about domestic violence, claiming that “70 per cent of hell is going to be women,” have drawn strong criticism for their insensitivity, forcing him to issue public apologies and reaffirm his commitment to advocating against misogyny.
As Yakoob prepares to face the accusations in court, his future in politics remains uncertain. His blend of legal practice and social media influence makes Yakoob a figure of interest in a landscape increasingly shaped by digital communication and public engagement, yet his controversial statements continue to overshadow his professional resume.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/akhmed-yakoob-profiled-lawyer-who-31697467 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/20/galloway-west-midlands-mayor-allah-zionism-akhmed-yakoob/ – Akhmed Yakoob, a TikTok lawyer endorsed by George Galloway for the West Midlands mayoral election, claims he was chosen by Allah to challenge the Zionist regime. He describes Zionists as following a ‘fascist ideology’ and asserts they ‘control everything’. Yakoob, known for his catchphrase ‘There is a defence for every offence’, has amassed a significant following on social media, sharing legal knowledge and personal insights. His comments have sparked controversy, with concerns about their potential impact on social cohesion.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/22/election-candidate-akhmed-yakoob-praised-andrew-tate/ – Independent election candidate Akhmed Yakoob, aligned with George Galloway, has praised Andrew Tate, the self-proclaimed ‘misogynist’ influencer facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and sexually exploiting women. Yakoob, a criminal defence lawyer with a substantial TikTok following, expressed admiration for Tate, stating he ‘rated’ him. This endorsement has raised concerns, given Tate’s controversial reputation and legal issues, highlighting potential implications for Yakoob’s political campaign and public perception.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72pd91dg0go – Akhmed Yakoob, an independent candidate in the West Midlands mayoral election, plans to stand in the next general election for Birmingham’s Ladywood constituency, currently held by Labour MP Shabana Mahmood. Known as the ‘TikTok lawyer’, Yakoob received almost 70,000 votes in the mayoral election, campaigning on a pro-Palestine platform. He has been endorsed by MP George Galloway and advocates for issues affecting Gaza, Kashmir, and pro-Khalistan figures.
- https://ukjournal.co.uk/akhmed-yakoob/ – Akhmed Yakoob, a British solicitor and social media influencer, has gained prominence for his legal insights and political involvement. Born in the late 1980s, he graduated with a law degree from the University of Wolverhampton. Yakoob became a solicitor in May 2014 and is a director at Maurice Andrews Solicitors in Birmingham. He has stood as an independent candidate in the West Midlands mayoral election and the Birmingham Ladywood constituency, advocating for social justice and community issues.
- https://newsvoice.info/article/page/birminghammail/news/midlands-news/akhmed-yakoob-pays-out-thousands-30814566 – Former Birmingham election candidate and solicitor Akhmed Yakoob has paid damages, understood to be ‘thousands of pounds’, to a young teacher he falsely accused in a viral video. Cheryl Bennett faced abuse and threats after Yakoob shared a doctored video alleging racist remarks. The incident led to an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Yakoob apologized to Bennett, who accepted the settlement, and expressed intentions to continue his political pursuits.
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/akhmed-yakoob-domestic-abuse-joke-b2566021.html – Independent election candidate Akhmed Yakoob has been criticized for making remarks about domestic abuse, including stating that ’70 per cent of hell is going to be women’. These comments, made during a podcast, have been labeled ‘misogynistic’ and ‘disturbing’. Yakoob has apologized for his remarks and pledged to be an ally in the fight against misogyny. The comments have sparked discussions about the seriousness of domestic violence and the responsibilities of political figures.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent allegations against Akhmed Yakoob, with the earliest known publication date being May 25, 2025. The report cites a forthcoming court appearance on June 17, 2025, indicating timely coverage. However, similar content has appeared in other outlets within the past week, suggesting some recycled material. Notably, a report from June 27, 2024, discusses Yakoob’s business association with a convicted criminal, which may be relevant to the current allegations. ([birminghamdispatch.co.uk](https://www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/p/the-missing-detail-meet-akhmed-yakoobs?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, a report from January 22, 2025, details Yakoob’s detention by counter-terrorism police, which could be pertinent to the current narrative. ([desiblitz.com](https://www.desiblitz.com/content/lawyer-akhmed-yakoob-detained-by-counter-terror-police?utm_source=openai)) These earlier reports may provide context but also raise concerns about the freshness of the content.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Akhmed Yakoob, such as his dismissal of concerns with a post stating, “Today’s newspapers are only going to be used to wrap up tomorrow’s bag of chips. All is well. Alhamdulillah. Remember that.” A search reveals that this quote has not appeared in earlier material, suggesting originality. However, the phrasing and content are consistent with Yakoob’s known public persona, which may indicate a pattern of similar statements.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Birmingham Mail, a regional newspaper with a history of investigative reporting. However, the report includes references to other sources, such as the BBC and The Independent, which are reputable organizations. The inclusion of these sources strengthens the overall reliability of the narrative. Nonetheless, the presence of less established outlets like UK Journal and NewsVoice raises questions about the consistency of source quality.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims, including Yakoob’s forthcoming court appearance and his social media response. The inclusion of specific details, such as the court date and Yakoob’s social media following, adds credibility. However, the report’s reliance on a single source for some claims and the lack of corroboration from multiple reputable outlets may raise concerns about the comprehensiveness of the information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents timely and plausible claims regarding Akhmed Yakoob’s legal troubles and public statements. While the inclusion of quotes and references to reputable sources adds credibility, the presence of recycled content and reliance on less established outlets warrant further scrutiny. The lack of corroboration from multiple reputable sources and the potential for recycled material suggest that the narrative may benefit from additional verification.
