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Dr. Tunde Okewale OBE is a distinguished barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, recognised for his exceptional courtroom advocacy, strategic legal insight, and commitment to justice. His expertise spans serious and financial crime, corporate and business crime, regulatory defence, and reputational risk management.
A trusted legal adviser to high-profile individuals, Dr. Okewale represents elite athletes, public figures, C-suite executives, and multinational corporations in complex and sensitive legal matters. His clients include those facing criminal allegations, regulatory investigations, reputational threats, and commercial disputes. In addition to his work on financial and corporate crime, he is widely respected for his defence work in violent crime and civil rights cases, particularly those challenging forensic evidence and exposing racial bias in the justice system.
Dr. Okewale is frequently instructed for pre-charge advisory work, ensuring that high-profile clients mitigate legal risks before proceedings escalate. His meticulous approach and ability to navigate high-stakes legal challenges discreetly and effectively make him a sought-after legal strategist.
Landmark Cases & Third-Party Interventions
Dr. Okewale’s career has been defined by significant victories in high-profile and complex cases, including overturning wrongful convictions, defending against serious fraud allegations, and representing clients in high-stakes litigation.
One of his most notable legal successes was the overturning of the wrongful conviction of Ademola Adedeji. Mr. Adedeji had been sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to commit GBH with intent, based on flawed police evidence linking him to a Manchester street gang (M40).
Dr. Okewale led a third-party intervention on behalf of JUSTICE, instructed by Clifford Chance, challenging the reliability of the video identification evidence and highlighting racial bias in police identification practices. The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and ruled there would be no retrial, recognising that the sole evidence connecting Mr. Adedeji to M40 was incorrect.
His work in third-party interventions, alongside human rights organisations such as JUSTICE, has led to precedent-setting legal reforms in the assessment of evidence, particularly in cases involving race, technology, and gang affiliation.
He was also instrumental in the case of Dwaine George, where his legal arguments helped overturn a wrongful murder conviction after 12 years, reshaping how forensic gunshot residue evidence is evaluated in appeals.
Notable Cases
Dr. Okewale has represented clients across multiple industries, including sports, entertainment, and corporate leadership, in cases involving serious criminal allegations, financial misconduct, and reputational risk.
Recent High-Profile Cases
- R v Ademola Adedeji, Court of Appeal, 2024 – Conviction quashed following intervention on drill evidence, race bias, and flawed video identification techniques.
- R v Isakov Akhmad, Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2024 – Attempted Murder (Acting Alone)
- R v Simon Fordham, Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2024 – Sexual Offences Against Children (Acting Alone)
- R v Olubunmi Abodundee, Ipswich Crown Court, 2024 – Murder (Junior Counsel)
- R v Mohammad Jakaria & Others, Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2023 – Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs
- R v William Solhotra, Kingston Crown Court, 2023 – Multiple Charges of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition with Intent to Endanger Life
- R v Lady Mendes, Lavender Hill Magistrates Court, 2023 – Driving Offences
- R v Ahmed Sharif, Southwark Crown Court, 2023 – Multiple Armed Robberies (Acting Alone)
- R v Rukon Miah, Southwark Crown Court, 2025 – Multi-Million Pound Fraud, re trial (Junior Counsel)
- R v Rukon Miah, Southwark Crown Court, 2023 – Multi-Million Pound Fraud (Junior Counsel)
- R v Stella Oyella & Others, The Central Criminal Court, 2023 – Terrorism – Funding Arrangements (Junior Counsel)
Beyond the courtroom, Dr. Okewale regularly provides strategic legal counsel for public figures, executives, and corporations facing reputational and regulatory challenges.
Reputation Management & Advisory Work
With an increasing intersection between law, media, and public perception, Dr. Okewale is a leading legal strategist for high-profile individuals and corporations navigating legal and reputational crises.
Dr. Okewale was appointed Chair of Sport England’s Talent Inclusion Advisory Group, where he spearheads initiatives aimed at increasing access to elite sports for underrepresented communities. His legal expertise in sports law extends to advising professional athletes on contract negotiations, sponsorship deals, and disciplinary proceedings.
He is also a Bar Council Race Training Panel Member, leading race equality training within the legal profession. His role includes delivering sessions for barristers’ chambers on institutional bias, diversity, and inclusion within the justice system.
His expertise includes:
- Strategic legal defence for public figures facing allegations and media scrutiny.
- Reputation and crisis management for executives, corporations, and elite athletes.
- Regulatory and financial crime advisory work, including corporate investigations and risk mitigation.
He is particularly sought after by sports professionals and entertainment figures, ensuring they are protected from legal, contractual, and reputational risks.
Honours & Recognitions
Dr. Okewale’s contributions to the legal profession and society have been widely recognised at the highest levels.
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) – 2024
- Awarded in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to social mobility and criminal justice.
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) – 2016
- Recognised for services to youth and underprivileged communities, highlighting his dedication to legal education and access to justice.
- Youngest-ever Governing Bencher (Master of the Bench) – The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2019)
- A historic achievement, making him the youngest-ever to be elected in the 650-year history of the Inn.
- Listed in Forbes' "25 Leading Black British Business People to Follow"
- Recognised for his legal influence, entrepreneurial initiatives, and role in shaping public policy.
- Featured in GQ Magazine’s first book publication
- "How to Win at Life" – where he shared his expertise on persuasive advocacy, negotiation, and courtroom tactics.
His accolades reflect his impact in the legal profession, public policy, and social reform, making him one of the most influential legal figures in the UK today.
Homicide and Related Grave Offences
R v John Beswick, Ipswich Crown court , 2023 , Sexual offences against children (acting alone)
R v Hafide Kamara , Inner London Crown Court, 2023 , Conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life
R v Rukon Miah, Southwark Crown Court , 2023 , Fraud
R v Adul Shariff , Southwark Crown Court , 2023, Armed robbery
- R v Marcus Pixley & Others , Harrow Crown Court, 2022, Conspiracy to Murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. (acting alone)
- R v Abdul Sakib & Others , Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2021, Multiple firearm offences and drugs offences (Junior counsel )
- R v Danny Storey, Chelmsford Crown Court, 2021 , Historic Multiple sexual offences against children (acting alone)
- R v Daniel Daden & Others , Chelmsford Crown Court , 2021, Murder (Junior Counsel)
- R v Ferenc Szabo, Ipswich Crown Court, 2021, Mutiple firearm offences
- R v Jonathan Wotton, Ipswich Crown Court 2021, Mutiple firearm offences
- R v Alhassan Jalloh & Others, The Central Criminal Court, 2020, Murder (Junior Counsel)
- R v Mohammed Rahman, Newcastle Crown Court, 2020, Murder (Junior Counsel)
- R v Elliot Robinson & Others, The Central Criminal Court, 2019, Arson Murder (Junior Counsel)
- R v Ashraf Hussain & Another, Oxford Crown Court, 2019, Murder and Supply of class A drugs and (Junior Counsel)
- R v Mark Fysh, Oxford Crown Court 2019, Historic Multiple sexual offences against children (Leading Counsel)
- R v Sean Davies, Harrow Crown Court, 2019 Attempted Murder
- R v James Lee Ratcliff , Teeside Crown Court 2018 Multiple firearm offences ( super grass case)- ( Junior counsel)
- R v Remmay Williams - Leicester Crown Court 2017 Supply of class A drugs and Possession of multiple firearms
- R v Benson Chineudu - Woolwich Crown Court 2016, Multiple sexual offences against children
- R v Adam Church-Inner - London Crown Court 2016, multiple sexual offences against children.
- R v Malik James - Derby Crown Court, 2016, Multi- handed Attempted Murder x 2
- R v Nathaniel Grant – Huntingdon Crown Court 2015, Multi-handed prison riot
- R v Dwaine George – Court of Appeal Criminal Division, 2014 Appeal against Conviction and Sentence, Murder
- R v Junior Payton, Court of Appeal Criminal Division , 2014 Appeal against Conviction and Sentence , GBH and Possession of an imitation firearm
- R v Hoxha & Ors, Ipswich Crown Court, 2014, Conspiracy to supply make false instruments
- R v Karl Maddox, Wood Green Crown Court , 2014 , Death by Dangerous Driving ,
- R v JoJo Mafwa & Ors, The Central Criminal Court 2013, 7 - handed Murder, Knife crime
- R v Junior Payton, Kingston Crown Court, 2013, GBH and Possession of an imitation firearm
- R v Katachi Richards & Ors , The Central Criminal Court 2013, Multi handed Kidnap and Robbery,
- R v Ashton Ambursley, Basildon Crown Court 2013 , s.18 Grievous bodily harm
- R v Sonny Walker O'Hara, Croydon Crown Court 2013, Armed Robbery and firearms offences
- R v Olumyiwa Lafe, The Central Criminal Court 2013 , s.18 Grievous bodily harm
- R v Daniel Bryan, The Central Criminal Court 2012, Attempted Murder
- R v Nathaniel Grant & Ors, The Central Criminal Court, 2012, Attempted Murder , GBH, (shooting of 5 yr old girl, Thusha Kamaleswaran
- R v Oladipe Laguda, The Central Criminal Court 2010 - Conspiracy Murder.
- R v Nathaniel Grant & Ors, The Central Criminal Court 2010 - 7 -handed Murder, firearms
- R v Daryl Wright & Ors, The Central Criminal Court 2011 – Multi- handed armed (firearms) robbery
- R v Kingsley Ogundele, The Central Criminal Court 2009 - Conspiracy Murder
- R v Alexander Sharpe, Southwark Crown Court 2011- Historic rape, fitness to plead.
- R v Brett Ives, Oxford Crown Court, 2012, s.18 Grievous bodily harm
- R v Olubamidele Paul, Chelmsford Crown Court 2010 - s.18 Grievous bodily harm.
- Shermon Carty, Reading Crown Court 2010 - s.18 grievous bodily harm.
- R v Carlos Damas, Bournemouth Crown Court, 2011, Aggravated Burglary
- R v Amir Raja, Reading Crown Court 2009 -ABH and perverting the course of justice.
- R v Francis Togo, Reading Crown Court 2009 - false imprisonment.
Protest Cases
- R v David Yamoah, Inner London Crown Court 2013, Theft, London riots
- R v Sean Mark & Ors, Inner London Crown Court, 2012, Burglary, (London Riots)
- R v Tyrone Ellis & Ors, Inner London Crown Court, 2012, Violent disorder 2012 (London Riots)
- R v Rickel Simon , Inner London Crown Court, 2012 , Burglary, Assault Occasioning actual bodily harm on a police officer.
- Police officer (London Riots)
- R v Samuel Appiah, Aylesbury Crown Court 2010 - s.20 grievous bodily harm against a police officer
- R v Gavin Stride, Aylesbury Crown Court 2010 - Assault Occasioning actual bodily harm on a police officer.
Other Serious Criminal Offences
Recent briefs have included murder, aggravated burglary, armed robbery, drugs importations and robberies. He is regularly instructed in cases involving Trident investigations of gang crime and firearms related violence as well as multi-handed robberies. He is currently instructed in two allegedly gang related London murders.
- R v Charles Onuga , Woolwich Crown Court 2014, Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs
- R v Vladimiro Demorias, Woolwich Crown Court 2014, Robbery
- R v Yousseff Chellli, Harrow Crown Court, 2013, Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
- R v Carlos Corrodus, Wood Green Crown Court 2013, Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, poession of a firearm
- R v Olwafemi Omosuyi , Inner London Crown Court 2012, Knife point robbery
- R v Ashley Gill, Woolwich Crown Court, 2012, Violent disorder
- R v Sashmore Grant, The Central Criminal Court 2011 - Possessing and tending counterfeit currency.
- R v Marcus Biggs, Oxford Crown Court 2011 -bringing a prohibited item into prison.
- R v Selma Momah & Ors, Snaresbrook Crown Court 2011- four-handed Affray.
- R v Adel Ismael, Southwark Crown Court 2011 - Robbery.
- R v Ashley Malcolm, Snaresbrook Crown Court 2011 – Contempt of Court
- R v Masterton & Ors, St Albans Crown Court 2010 - knife point robbery.
- Dwight Alexender v Commisoner of Police of the Metropolis (Administrative Court) 2011 Appeal by way of case stated.
- Masterman v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Administrative Court) 2010 Appeal by way of case stated.
- R v Stella Garbor, Southwark Crown Court 2010 - Robbery.
- R v Ashley Mason, Snaresbrook Crown court 2011 - Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (23kg)
- R v Errol McCardo-Weir, Croydon Crown Court 2011 - Importation of 2kg class A drugs
- R v Chloe Shangwele, Chelmsford Crown Court 2011 - Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs
- R v Chloe Shangwele, Kingston Crown Court 2011 - Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs
- R v Anton Kist, Isleworth Crown Court 2009 - Importation of cocaine (2kg).
Sports Law
Tunde Okewale is a FA registered intermediary who is building a reputation advising and representing footballers, boxers and Olympic athletes. His most recent clients include Christopher George, four-time defending national Judo champion of Trinidad and Tobago and Ekow Essuman Team GB welterweight Boxer.
He advises athletes and clubs in relation to brand management, contractual matters, confidentiality and reputation management. Additionally, Tunde is also able to represent athletes in professional regulatory hearings. Tunde also writes and speaks regularly on his areas of legal specialty and is happy to take cases on a direct access basis.
