A prominent Birmingham lawyer and former parliamentary candidate has been charged with multiple money laundering offences, the National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed on Wednesday.
Akhmed Yakoob, 37, who ran as an Independent candidate in the 2024 West Midlands mayoral race and contested the Birmingham Ladywood seat in the general election, faces three charges relating to financial crime, alongside accountant Nabeel Afzal, 38, from Edgbaston.
Charges and Allegations
The NCA said both men are accused of:
- Money laundering
- Encouraging money laundering
- Failing to carry out customer due diligence measures when establishing a business relationship
The alleged offences occurred between 18 February 2020 and 8 January 2021. The charges are part of a broader investigation into suspicious financial activity in the West Midlands region.
Both defendants are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 17 June 2025.
Political Background
Yakoob, often referred to as the “TikTok lawyer” due to his significant social media following, is known for his outspoken political commentary and grassroots campaigning. He stood against Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood in the Birmingham Ladywood constituency during the 2024 general election, finishing second. He also secured third place in the West Midlands mayoral election with 69,621 votes, reflecting strong support among sections of the local electorate.
Official Response
The National Crime Agency is leading the investigation. West Midlands Police declined to comment, stating the matter falls under the NCA’s jurisdiction.
A spokesperson for the NCA said:
“This investigation is part of our commitment to tackling economic crime. We take allegations of money laundering extremely seriously and will continue to pursue individuals who seek to abuse the financial system.”
At the time of publication, Mr Yakoob had not commented publicly on the charges.
