Former City Banker Jailed for Fabricating Sexual Harassment Claims

A former Commerzbank employee has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after being found guilty of making false sexual harassment allegations against his manager. Damilare Ajao, who worked at the German finance giant’s London office until November 2019, was also ordered to pay £150,000 towards the bank’s legal costs.

The High Court judge, Mr Justice Martin Spencer, ruled on Friday that Ajao had committed “serious contempt of court” by fabricating claims that a female manager had sexually harassed him in the workplace. The judge described Ajao’s allegations as a “deliberate and wicked assault” on the manager’s professional reputation.

Ajao had claimed his supervisor, identified only as “Ms Q” in court proceedings, made inappropriate comments about being able to see his nipples through a string vest he wore under his shirt. He further alleged she had attempted to touch his Gucci belt buckle in the staff canteen, forcing him to slap her hand away.

These allegations formed the basis of an Employment Tribunal claim against Commerzbank, which included accusations of sexual harassment and assault. Ajao claimed Ms Q had told him “I fancy you” and had made repeated sexualized comments over several months.

However, Employment Judge Anthony Snelson dismissed Ajao’s case in April 2024, concluding that his sexual harassment and assault allegations “were false and in large part made up.” Following this ruling, Commerzbank initiated contempt proceedings against Ajao in the High Court.

Throughout the High Court case, Ajao maintained his innocence, arguing that the allegations represented his genuine “perception” of events rather than deliberate falsehoods. His legal representative, Sasha Wass KC, contended there was “foundation in evidence” for Ajao’s claims, noting that Ms Q had acknowledged a conversation about his clothing had taken place, albeit in an innocent context.

The bank’s counsel, Louis Browne KC, countered that Ajao’s position was inconsistent with how he had presented his case at the Employment Tribunal, where he had stated definitively that the events occurred with clear intent and motive behind them.

In delivering his judgment, Mr Justice Spencer found Ms Q to be “entirely honest and credible” in her testimony. The judge determined that her comments about Ajao’s clothing were made in the context of friendly workplace conversations about fashion, not as sexual advances.

By contrast, the judge found Ajao’s testimony contained “such discrepancies, inconsistencies and impossibilities” that it was “quite incapable of acceptance.” He concluded there wasn’t “a shred of truth” in any of the allegations made against Ms Q.

The court heard that the false accusations had significant consequences for Ms Q, who reported feeling like a “criminal” and described the experience as “insulting and painful,” resulting in her needing sleeping medication. The judge also noted that Ajao had attempted to exploit Ms Q’s family bereavement as part of his fabricated narrative, calling it a “cynical” attempt to “exploit genuine grief.”

Since the original tribunal case, Ajao’s life has undergone significant disruption. The court learned he had lost his career in finance, now relies on Universal Credit for support, and his marriage has ended, leaving him living alone in Medway, Kent.

Addressing Ajao directly during sentencing, the judge stated: “Your lies were deliberate and perpetuated over a significant period of time and included the giving of false evidence on oath. They represented an attempt to deceive the court into awarding you substantial damages.”

While sentencing Ajao to 20 months imprisonment, the judge noted he would be eligible for early release on license after serving eight months. The substantial costs order of £150,000 reflects the seriousness with which the court viewed the contempt of court offense.

The case highlights the severe consequences individuals may face for bringing fabricated workplace harassment claims through the legal system.