A London man has been convicted and handed a two-year suspended sentence after allowing another individual to fraudulently use his Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.
Dada Taofiki Olaniyan was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court after an investigation revealed he knowingly permitted someone else to work under his licence, continuing to receive wages for shifts he did not work.
Discovery and Investigation
The fraud came to light in January 2020 during a routine check at the Ronald McDonald Charity House in London, where Olaniyan was employed as a security guard. The checks found another man displaying a licence in Olaniyan’s name.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities provide accommodation for families staying close to their children’s hospital wards, making security at these establishments critical.
The SIA investigation revealed that Olaniyan had not worked at the charity’s locations since 2019, but continued to benefit financially while an untrained, unlicensed individual performed the role.
During questioning, Olaniyan admitted he knew the man but claimed he had been living at his ex-wife’s address. Despite efforts, investigators were unable to trace the individual.
Court Sentencing and Financial Penalties
On 1 July 2024, Olaniyan was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court and sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months.
At a confiscation hearing on 11 December 2024, the court ruled Olaniyan had gained £8,992 in criminal benefit. The SIA will seize the full amount under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
In addition to the confiscation order, Olaniyan was ordered to pay:
- £5,860 in costs
- A £140 victim surcharge
SIA Response
Nicola Bolton, SIA Criminal Investigations Manager, condemned Olaniyan’s actions:
“SIA licence holders are trained and vetted to hold positions of authority and trust. Olaniyan abused this position and used his licence fraudulently to allow an unknown, untrained, and unlicensed individual to work protecting vulnerable families.
“Olaniyan has lost his licence and now has a criminal record. This prosecution is a lesson to anyone who is thinking of committing fraud that crime does not pay.”
The SIA confirmed that funds recovered through POCA confiscation orders will be used to benefit good causes across the UK.
Impact
The case underscores the importance of licence integrity in the security industry, particularly when protecting vulnerable individuals. This conviction serves as a warning to others considering similar fraudulent activities.
