Decision of the Disciplinary Panel
Date of Decision: 6 June 2019
Case of: Ismaila Ajenifuja
RICS Membership Number: 1172509
Location: Essex
The formal charge against Ismaila Ajenifuja is:
1. He failed in his professional obligation to register his firm, Freelance Chartered Building Surveyor & Registered Valuer (the “Firm”), in 2015, when required to do so under Rule 3.1 of the Rules for the Registration of Firms.
Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007
2. In one or more of the following ways, he purported to be a RICS Registered Valuer when he knew or ought to have known that he was not entitled to do so:
2.1 By sending emails between 11 May 2017 and 5 July 2018 which included the words “Registered Valuer” after his name;
2.2 By advertising himself as being a “Registered Valuer” on the Firm’s website;
2.3 By referring to himself as a “Registered Valuer” within a letter to Ms P dated 19 September 2017;
2.4 By referring to himself as a “Registered Valuer” within an invoice to Ms P dated 15 September 2017;
2.5 By referring to himself as a “Registered Valuer” within an undated letter to Ms P;
2.6 By referring to himself as a “Registered Valuer” within a Building inspection report dated 12 April 2018; and/or
2.7 By referring to himself as a “Registered Valuer” on his LinkedIn profile.
In doing so, he failed to act with integrity and/or failed to comply with his professional obligations.
Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007
3. In one or more of the following ways, he used the RICS logo thereby holding the Firm out to be regulated by RICS when he knew or ought to have known that he was not entitled to do so:
3.1 By advertising as such on the Firm’s website;
3.2 On an invoice to Ms P dated 15 September 2017;
3.3 Within an undated letter to Ms P; and/or
3.4 Within a Building inspection report dated 12 April 2018.
In doing so, he failed to act with integrity and/or failed to comply with his professional obligations.
Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007
4. He failed to respond substantively or at all with RICS staff during the course of any or all the following RICS regulatory investigations:
4.1 Concerns/queries raised following submission of an application for Valuer Registration;
4.2 Concerns raised in relation to Ms P’s complaint; and/or
4.3 Concerns raised in relation to Ms M’s complaint.
Contrary to Rule 9 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007
Finding: Proved
Sanction: Expelled
The Disciplinary Panel also made an order to costs.