Nneka Akudolu KC > Chambers of Richard Pratt KC > Liverpool, England > Barrister Profile

Nneka Akudolu KC

Position

Door Tenant

Career

Call: 2002

Silk: 2022

• CPS Advocates Panel, Grade 4
• CPS RASSO List
• Criminal Bar Association
• South Eastern Circuit
• British Nigeria Law Forum
• Pupil Supervisor

Practice Areas

Appointed King’s Counsel in 2022, Nneka is a highly respected jury advocate whose practice encompasses all areas of serious time, including Murder, drug trafficking and serious sexual offences. She has particular experience working with vulnerable defendants and witnesses and those charged with historic allegations of a sexual nature. She regularly is lauded by her clients for her razor sharp focus and meticulous preparation in every case that she undertakes.

Nneka is a personable and approachable advocate whose ability to understand the facts of a case quickly and effectively enable her to grasp the issues with ease. In relation to Murder cases, she is especially proficient in dealing with long running high profile trials with significant volumes of evidence and multiple defendants. These cases typically involve complicated joint enterprise issues. Nneka has a wealth of experience challenging expert evidence in respect of gang associations and drill lyrics. Her cases routinely involve the interpretation of difficult scientific evidence such as blood spatter distribution and DNA.

Away from the Crown Court, Nneka has a keen interest in Military Law and has considerable experience representing members of the armed forces and their dependents in Court Martial proceedings here and overseas. Her military work covers a wide range of matters including murder and serious sexual offences.

Nneka is a fierce proponent for increased diversity at the Bar and frequently writes articles and delivers speeches on the subject.

Nneka is qualified to receive instructions on a Direct Access basis.

 

What others say:

“Nneka is very conscientious, she provides advice promptly, she is very personable and defendants are very complimentary about her and the manner in which she deals with their cases. Her knowledge and application of the law is second to none and is often my go-to counsel. Judges respect her.” – Legal 500 UK 2021

“Compelling on her feet.” – Legal 500 UK 2020

Nneka is a sought-after defence advocate who has the complete confidence and trust of those she represents. She has particular experience in homicide cases and serious sexual offences.

Nneka is currently instructed as leading counsel to defend a 16-year old in a multi- handed murder involving several young defendants running a cut-throat defence. The prosecution case is put on the basis of joint enterprise. The trial is taking place at The Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and expected to last for 8 weeks.

 

Murder

 

Notable Cases

R v JB

Nneka represented JB.  This defendant pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of CM who died from traumatic brain injuries on the 19th July 2022. The prosecution did not accept that plea and he was therefore tried for murder along with his brother and a teenager who at the time was only 14 years of age. This case involved extremely complicated medical evidence presented by a Neuropathologist and Consultant Forensic Pathologist. Nneka’s client was the only defendant not to give evidence. He was found not guilty of murder following a 2 -week trial at the Liverpool Crown Court.

 

R v CH

Nneka was instructed to defend CH, one of nine defendants charged with murder. Police were called to an Internet cafe in the Liverpool City Centre on the 16th April last year where an 18 year old man was found to be unresponsive. He died a short time later from extensive head and neck injuries. The defendant was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.

 

R v D 

Nneka represented D as junior alone for a single count of murder. The allegations arose from an argument over 3 rocks of crack cocaine where the victim was fatally kicked in the head leading to a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This case involved meticulous cross examination of the pathologist on the issue of causation.

 

R v S

Junior counsel representing the only youth in a three-handed ‘honey-trap’ murder case. The first, (and only female) defendant had lured the victim to a secluded area where he was then ‘set upon’ by the two male defendants with metal bars causing fatal injuries. Significant legal arguments took place on the admissibility of comments made by the victim prior to his death.

 

R v M

Junior counsel Led by Brian O’Neill KC, representing M for an allegation of murder. M was one of three defendants accused of kicking a fellow homeless man to death. The case involved a significant cut throat defence with both co defendants.

 

R v B

Junior counsel, led by Alison Levitt KC. B faced allegations of murder and attempted arson. This involved allegations that he broke into the deceased’s home in order to steal his coin collection; once there, he stabbed him 14 times and then attempted to set fire to the flat. This was a high profile case that attracted considerable media attention.

 

Rape

 

Notable Cases

R v N

N was charged with 18 counts of historic rapes and sexual assaults against 3 of his immediate family members spanning 15 years. Nneka acted as leading junior. The case involved complicated s41 arguments aswell as video recorded evidence of some of the alleged offences taking place.

 

R v W

Leading junior counsel, W, a former choirmaster was charged with 20 historic sexual allegations against 4 former choir boys dating back to the 1980’s and 1990’s. The case attracted significant media attention which led to the emergence of several new complainants.

 

Drugs

 

Notable Cases

R v LS

Nneka acted as junior alone in a large-scale drugs conspiracy involving the alleged supply of £3m worth of high purity heroin. The prosecution case centred around communication with encrochat telephones and cell site material which sought to show contact between all co-conspirators before and after the consignment was delivered at LS’s home address. The case involved a cut throat defence and complicated bad character arguments.

 

Public Prosecution

Prior to taking Silk, Nneka was a Grade 4 prosecutor and adept at handling cases involving multiple defendants and complex legal issues. She is also on the approved list to prosecute Rape and Serious Sexual Offences and regularly prosecutes both stranger and familial rape cases. Nneka receives instructions from the CPS Complex Case Unit, often involving the prosecution of police officers for a wide range of offences.

 

Notable Cases

R v BB

Leading junior instructed to prosecute defendant faced with a multi-count indictment of historic child cruelty and administering a noxious substance with intent. The defendant also faced a catalogue of allegations of serious violence including forcing her then 6 year old daughter to chew broken glass. The defendant was sentenced to a total of 8 years imprisonment.

 

R v KN

Instructed as Junior alone to prosecute Kadian Nelson who pleaded guilty to the rape and abduction of a 13 year old girl as she walked to school in the Mitcham area of South East London. The abduction was witnessed by another school girl (aged 10), who brought what she had seen to the attention of her older sister. The defendant was then confronted by the witnesses who recorded the encounter with a mobile telephone. He claimed that the complainant was his sister but, undeterred the witnesses continued to follow him. The defendant eventually made off from the scene having heard police sirens approaching and checking into a nearby hotel. The mobile telephone footage was uploaded to social media and immediately went viral. Several people reported the identity of the perpetrator to the police, leading to his arrest. After resolution of lengthy issues surrounding fitness to plead, the defendant entered guilty pleas to rape, kidnap and making a threat to kill.

On the 13th August 2021, he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.

 

R v DH

Leading junior instructed to prosecute DH accused of rape and assault of his biological daughter. The crown’s case was that he had exploited contact arrangements in order to abuse his daughter. The defendant absconded and left the jurisdiction during the proceedings; an application was then successfully made to proceed against him in his absence.

 

R v KSH

Junior alone prosecuting KSH accused of rape. The defendant was 17 years old at the time of the offences and had Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. This case involved extensive medical evidence and legal arguments surrounding the admissibility of the defendant’s interviews with the police.

 

R v TB

Leading junior instructed to prosecute 16 year old TB with rape and false imprisonment. At trial, the defendant claimed that the complainant had consented to sexual intercourse.

 

R v A

Leading junior instructed to prosecute 5 defendants charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs in London and in the South East. The case involved substantial cell site evidence and issues revolving around the attribution of numerous mobile telephones.

 

R v G-C

Instructed as junior counsel to prosecute an allegation of murder where the defendant stabbed her partner in the neck. The defendant claimed that she had suffered a ‘loss of control’ due to years of controlling and coercive behaviour perpetrated upon her by the deceased.

 

R v R

Junior alone prosecuting a high profile case where the defendant was charged with raping a woman in her 60’s having purported to be premiership footballer Loic Remy.

 

R v W

Junior alone instructed to prosecute a police officer for an allegation of misconduct in public office. The defendant had stolen several items of lost property, handed in by members of the public. He also failed to send driving licenses of individuals who had received fixed penalties to the DVLA resulting in dozens of licenses not being endorsed and speeding fines cancelled.

 

R v O

Junior alone prosecuting a stranger rape in Camden park where weapons were used to cause ‘life altering’ injuries to the complainant who remembered nothing of the attack. Identification of the defendant came from CCTV, use of his oyster card at various locations and cell site evidence from the usage of his mobile telephone.

 

R v A

Junior alone instructed to prosecute a pastor for child cruelty following allegations made by members of the public after witnessing her seriously assaulting numerous children within her congregation.

 

R v W

Junior alone prosecuting a father charged with multiple counts of raping his two biological daughters. The offences dated back to the 1970’s and only came to light when the defendant was a arrested for an allegation made by his 8 year old granddaughter.

 

Professional Discipline

Nneka advises and represents police officers facing misconduct hearings brought by the Appropriate authority

 

Notable Cases

AA v G

Instructed to act for a police sergeant with 15 years service for improper use of police databases.

AA v H

Instructed to act for a police constable who had sent sexually explicit messages and images to female colleagues and touched a civilian member of staff inappropriately.

 

Military

Nneka has been conducting Military cases both at home and abroad since 2004.

 

Notable Cases

R v L

Junior alone instructed to defend a member of the Queens Dragoon Guards for an offence of inciting racial hatred. The defendant was alleged to have posted offensive comments on facebook about some of his fellow soldiers.

 

R v A

Junior alone instructed to defend a member of 3 Para for allegations of Perverting the course of justice. It was alleged that a false statement was provided by the defendant following his daughter being arrested for an assault in a nightclub in the German town Gutersloh.

 

R v M

Junior alone for the defence. Acting for a member of 2 Para (at Sennelager Martial Centre) accused of the ‘gang rape’ of a German civilian.