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; and 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.