Judges in the dock accused of legal aid fraud plot

THREE judges and six lawyers have appeared in court charged over an alleged plot to defraud £12.6 million from the legal aid system.

Part-time immigration judges Kareena Maciel, 46, and Rasib Ghaffar, 48, along with part-time civil judge Razi Shah, were accused of grossly inflating their work or submitting claims for work they had not done.

During the hearing, legal clerk Gazi Khan stood up and said the case was a “racist witch hunt”, adding: “It will all come out.” The allegations are understood to relate to legal aid claims linked to immigration cases.

Joe Bird, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates’ Court: “They are all linked together – different firms, different costs, but there’s a common thread between them.

“The claims were for work not done or grossly inflated.”

Maciel and Ghaffar, both of South Woodford, Shah, of Windsor, and Ameyaw-kyeremeh, of Croydon, all deny one count of conspiracy to commit an offence of fraud by false representation. Gazi Khan, of Isleworth, and Shahid Rashid, of Langley, deny three counts of the same charge.

Azhar Khan, of Pinner, denies one count of fraud by false representation and one count of conspiracy to commit an offence of fraud by false representation.

Lloyd Moody, of Surbiton, denies two counts of fraud by false representation. Samira Bashir, of Slough, denies one count of fraud by false representation.

All nine were bailed and will appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Aug 14.