Construction boss gets suspended sentence and six-year director ban

A director of a construction company has narrowly avoided jail after admitting to exaggerating his company’s turnover to claim £150,000 via three Covid Bounce Back Loans.

An Insolvency Service investigation found that Adebanjo Adebayo Talabi was the director of Bebo Construction Limited when he applied for three loans, between August and November 2020, from three separate banks.

On each occasion, the company’s turnover was significantly exaggerated to claim the maximum available amount (£50,000), with evidence that the money was transferred to a personal account.

The company would have been entitled to one loan of approximately £1,300.

Talabi successfully applied for three Bounce Back Loans for Bebo Construction Limited – each worth £50,000 – on 1st August, 20th August and 5th November 2020.

On each occasion, he stated that the company’s turnover was between £200,000 and £220,000, which was found to be significantly inflated. For the second and third loans, Talabi falsely stated that they were the first and only loan applications for the company.

Additionally, evidence from the Insolvency Service investigation found the loans had been transferred to personal accounts and not used for the economic benefit of the company, which was a requirement of the scheme.

Talabi pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation and was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on 24 February 2026.

He received a two-year sentence, suspended for two years on condition of completing 200 hours unpaid work, and disqualified from being a director for six years.

During sentencing, it was noted that Talabi has begun to repay the money owed and, as such, the Insolvency Service will not be pursuing action under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Insolvency Service Chief Investigator David Snasdell said “This is a significant sentence which imposes a number of long-term restrictions on Adebanjo Adebayo Talabi, while taking into account his guilty plea and efforts to pay back the money his company owes.

“The Insolvency Service will continue to pursue those who exploited the Covid Bounce Back Loan scheme, aimed at supporting struggling businesses through the pandemic.”