Akhmed Yakoob and co-accused deny laundering charges as trial set for August 2027
A Birmingham solicitor and former political candidate will face trial in 2027 over allegations that he helped launder millions of pounds in criminal proceeds.
Akhmed Yakoob, 37, who rose to prominence as the so-called “TikTok lawyer”, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday. He stood alongside co-defendant Nabeel Afzal, 38, an accountant from Birmingham.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to three charges:
- Money laundering
- Encouraging or assisting money laundering
- Failing to conduct proper customer due diligence when forming a business relationship
The charges relate to an alleged conspiracy that spanned from 18 February 2020 to 8 January 2021, during which the pair are said to have aided individuals seeking to move millions in illicit funds.
Prosecutors told the court the accused were trusted professionals, approached specifically because of their positions in the legal and financial sectors. It is alleged they provided critical support for a group looking to disguise criminal cash.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf convicted, the men face up to 14 years in prison.
Yakoob, who lives in Aldridge, Walsall, made headlines in 2024 when he ran as an Independent candidate in two high-profile elections. In the West Midlands mayoral race, he garnered 69,621 votes, placing third. Weeks later, he stood in the Birmingham Ladywood constituency at the general election, where he came second behind Labour’s Shabana Mahmood, securing 12,137 votes to her 15,558.
His online popularity—particularly among younger voters on social media platforms—earned him the nickname “TikTok lawyer”, reflecting his widely shared legal explainers and campaign videos.
Despite his growing public profile, Yakoob now finds himself embroiled in a complex criminal case, which could cast a long shadow over his professional and political future.
The court has scheduled a full trial for 23 August 2027, citing the need for extended preparation given the scale of the alleged laundering operation and the large volume of evidence.
Both men were released on bail, and neither made public comment as they left the court.