Banjo hits low note in benefit fraud

Husband and wife John Afadama, 46 and Deborah Afadama, 25, of Dendridge Close, Enfield found that crime did not pay when they were caught by Enfield Council commiting benefit fraud.

The Afadama’s claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit for the property despite it being owned by Mrs Afadama in her maiden name of Deborah Banjo.

Mr Afadama submitted a false application for benefits accompanied by a tenancy agreement between himself and his ‘landlord’ Mrs Banjo, failing to declare any relationship when asked.

As a result Mr Afadama received £10,988.86 in Housing and Council Tax Benefits between 03/10/05 and 02/12/06.

After both pleading not guilty, a 2-day trial was held at Enfield Magistrates court on 3rd & 4th April 2008.

Mr Afadama was found guilty on two counts of dishonestly and supplying a false statement with the intention of obtaining benefits for himself or another.

Mrs Afadama was found guilty of one charge of dishonestly causing or allowing Mr Afadama to produce a false statement.

They were sentenced on 17th April 2008 at Enfield Magistrates Court.

John Afadama received 5 months imprisonment for each offence (to run consecutively) and was told he would serve half before being released on licence. Deborah Afadama received 5 months custodial for her offence (suspended for 18 months) and a 240 hours unpaid work order. She was also ordered to pay £600 towards costs.

On 25th April 2008 (after spending 8 days in Pentonville Prison) Mr Afadama appeared at Wood Green Crown Court to appeal his sentence. His sentence was reduced to 5 months for each offence (to run concurrently) suspended for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work. No order for costs was made.

Other recent cases that led to court action are:

Devon Brown, 42 of Somerset Road, Edmonton N18 was arrested on 18th February 2008 and was bailed to attend Enfield Magistrates Court on 3rd March 2008.

He pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change in circumstances, namely that he has gained paid employment.

As a result of his failure to declare his income Mr Brown was overpaid £3,217.31 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit between 22nd March 2004 and 2nd August 2006. He was sentenced at the magistrate’s court on 6th March to 240 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay Enfield Council’s costs of £200.

Patricia McKenzie, 30, of Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield EN3 was investigated for allegedly using false Home Office documents to support her claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

She received £25,327.76 in benefits between 19/09/05 and 25/11/07.

The joint investigation between Enfield Council and the Home Office culminated in Ms McKenzie being charged with and pleading guilty to obtaining property by deception, and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment (suspended for 24 months) and 200 hours unpaid work.

Jagmohan Singh, 53, of Felixstowe Road, Edmonton N9 was charged with the offence of knowingly failing to declare a change in circumstances, namely taking up employment, with a view to obtaining benefit. Mr Singh was overpaid £10,160.61 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit between 04/12/06 and 27/01/08.

He was summonsed and appeared at Enfield Magistrates Court on 27/03/08 and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to a £300 fine, £100 costs and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge, he was also told to pay £100 by 02/04/08 and a further £100 monthly.

All monies fraudulently overpaid by the authority will be sought via civil recovery regardless of the outcome of any court action.

Cllr Michael Lavender, Deputy Leader, Finance and Resources said “The Council will continue to pursue people who claim benefits to which they are not entitled.

“As we develop ever more sophisticated ways of uncovering fraud against the council, the message is there is nowhere to hide. Just don’t commit benefit fraud in the first place.

“Or if you do, be prepared for us to track you down!”.

This document was last updated on 2008-05-12 11:56:27 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_132767