Benjamin Nuele Akari, an unlicensed builder, has been granted conditional bail for a string of serious breaches of the Home Building and Crimes Acts and will be brought back in front of the court to answer to his convictions, NSW Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney, announced today.

“Mr Akari committed a series of offences: he obtained money from developers for home warranty insurance without obtaining the insurance. He then misrepresented forged certificates as legitimate insurance documents,” Ms Burney said.

“On Tuesday 22 January Mr Akari was brought before Burwood Local Court and released on conditional bail. He will be brought back before the court for sentencing on 12 March.”  

His offences were:

• unlicensed contracting on three separate building projects
• doing residential building work without providing a certificate of insurance
• obtaining money by deception
• making and/or using false instruments. 

Ms Burney said in late 2006 Mr Akari failed to appear before Burwood Local Court for sentencing on a large number of criminal charges brought against him by the Office of Fair Trading. As a result, a warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Fair Trading later discovered that Mr Akari had left the country prior to his sentencing on the charges,” Ms Burney said.

“Earlier this month, detective work by Fair Trading officers confirmed that Akari was back in the country. He was arrested by police and charged with 19 arrest warrants and was held in custody until being released on bail. 

“Mr Akari’s bail conditions include surrendering his passports, reporting regularly to police and the forfeiture of a $10,000 surety in the event that he fails to reappear before the court.”

“If found guilty for making and using false instruments, Mr Akari could face a maximum jail sentence of 10 years,” Ms Burney said. 

“This case highlights Fair Trading’s zero tolerance for unlicensed and illegal activity. 

“Those who think they can get away with ignoring the law can think again.  Fair Trading will catch up with you in the end and you will pay your dues,” Ms Burney said. 

“Consumers who are thinking of building or renovating should be careful when entering into a contract with a builder by asking for their licence details and checking those details before signing any contract.” 

“Your home is your pride and joy, as well as being your greatest asset. Why would anyone want an unlicensed contractor doing work for you?”

Ms Burney urged all consumers to take a look at the Building Checklist page on the Fair Trading website which sets out a list of the key questions to ask a builder before signing a contract.

Checking if a builder is licensed is as easy as performing a licence check on this website.

Back to Media releases