Louis Browne KC acts for Commerzbank as Court of Appeal upholds contempt findings

February 23, 2026

Louis Browne KC of Exchange Chambers, instructed by Littler, has successfully represented Commerzbank AG in Court of Appeal proceedings arising from the High Court’s 2025 finding that former analyst Damilare Ajao was in contempt of court.

In November 2025, Mr Justice Martin Spencer found Mr Ajao to have committed serious contempt of court, to the criminal standard, after determining that he had deliberately fabricated allegations of sexual harassment and attempted sexual assault against a female colleague, known as “Ms Q”, and had given knowingly false evidence under oath. He was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment.

Mr Ajao appealed both the findings of contempt and the sentence.

In a judgment handed down on 19 February 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the findings of contempt, save in respect of one discrete allegation. The Court upheld the High Court’s core conclusions that Mr Ajao had deliberately fabricated serious allegations and sought to mislead the court.

While the Court of Appeal reduced the custodial term to eight months’ imprisonment (less three days) after reconsidering the appropriate sentencing framework for contempt, it reaffirmed that the conduct was serious and that an immediate custodial sentence was justified.

Louis Browne KC represented Commerzbank throughout the proceedings.

The case once again underlines the fundamental importance of honesty in litigation and the serious consequences that follow attempts to interfere with the administration of justice.