Dilichi Onuzo (2002)
Principal Areas of Practice
Crime
Fraud
Professional Experience
Dilichi Onuzo practices in general crime, fraud and related areas for both the Prosecution and Defence.
She has a particular interest in the growing area of identity card fraud, and argued and won a case at the Court of Appeal, while still a pupil. The case (Zenasni) was eventually reported.
Pending Cases
R v Kral Representing a defendant in a four handed trial on a multi count indictment of handling high value stolen cars (February 2010)
R v Harvey Representing a defendant in a burglary matter, complicated by a lengthy bad character application as the defendant has numerous convictions for burglary (April 2010)
R v T Representing a defendant charged on an indictment of a large fraud from the DWP
Range of Work
Defence
She is regularly instructed and has successfully defended in numerous trials involving offences of dishonesty, violence, and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. She has also appeared in parole board hearings.
Prosecution
She has been instructed to prosecute for the CPS, and the Probation Service, and has completed a short secondment with Customs and Excise.
Notable Cases
Court of Appeal
Safi Zenasni (2007) Court of Appeal - Appeal against sentence of 15 months given by HHJ Rivlin at the Crown Court at Southwark for an offence under s25 (5) of the Identity Cards Act - Appeal allowed and sentence reduced to 12 months. Case reported at EWCA Crim 2165 [2007]. Case also reported in Archbold, Blackstones and Current Sentencing Practice.
Crown Court
R v Marco Ferierra (2009) Defendant charged with two counts of Domestic Burglary. Defendant pleaded guilty at PCMH, and was sentenced to a community order at Inner London Crown Court
R v Ernestina Oteng (2009) Defendant charged with Fraud and an Offence under the Identity Cards Act. Defendant pleaded guilty on the day of trial and was given a 5 month sentence.
R v Aso-Ata Ahmed (2008) Defending in a two handed case, concerning the evasion of VAT on smuggled cigarettes. Defendant was convicted but sentenced to a Community Order.
R v Michael Alleyne (2008) Defendant charged with two others under the fire-arms act, others also charged on the indictment with possession and supply of Class A drugs. Defendant was acquitted, despite the firearm being found in his bed.
R v Paul Hoffman (2008) Defendant charged with Arson, Perverting the Course of Justice and Aggravated Vehicle Taking. Crown offered no evidence on the day of trial, after legal arguments regarding hearsay.
R v David Alapafujah (2007) Defendant pleaded guilty to s 25(1) of the Identity Cards Act. Succeeded in getting him bail at the magistrates court, and he was eventually sentenced to a 9 months suspended sentence (suspended for two years), despite referenced guidelines at the time of 12-18 months.
Magistrates Court
R v Marshal Dafoe (2007) Represented a fifty year old defendant charged with harassing a nine year old girl. He was acquitted.
R v Recep Hulusi (2007) Represented a defendant charged with assaulting his 11 year old daughter. He was acquitted.
R v Ronnie Arnold (2007) Case in the Youth Court. Defendant charged with Robbery x 3, S.4 POA., Common Assault x 2. Crown were also applying for an ASBO. After negotiations, defendant pleaded to 1 theft, 1 attempted robbery, S.4 POA, and one Common Assault. He was given a 9 month referral order, and the ASBO was not granted.
Career
1999 - Yale University, 2 credits (American Politics and the media, Criminal Justice)
2001 - LLB (2.1) London School of Economics
2002 - BVC , Inns of Court School of Law
2002 - Called, Grays Inn
Interests
Arsenal Football Club
Acting (LAMDA gold medal in acting)
