London property: AGF takes over Ozekhome’s case

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has applied to take over the three-count criminal charge bordering on forgery against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, before the FCT High Court. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed the charges against Ozekhome on allegations of receiving […]

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has applied to take over the three-count criminal charge bordering on forgery against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, before the FCT High Court.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed the charges against Ozekhome on allegations of receiving property through corrupt means and using forged documents.

When the matter began on Monday, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announced appearance for the AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and said they were taking over the prosecution of the matter under the constitutional powers of Section 174 in collaboration with the ICPC for efficient and better standards.

Oyedepo said the decision to retrieve the case file from the ICPC was in the public interest, as it ensured the confidence, fairness, and competence of the trial.

After the application, Dr Osuebeni Akpomosingha Akpos, who announced his appearance for the ICPC, while Kanu Agabi (SAN) said he is for Ozekhome, did not object to the takeover.

Consequently, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter to February 24 for hearing.

The ICPC alleged that Ozekhome, sometime in August 2021, directly received House 79 Randall Avenue, London, which was alleged to have been purchased by former FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni but purportedly given to him by one Shani Tal, in a transaction constituting a felony under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count accuses the senior lawyer of “making a false document” of a Nigerian passport bearing number A07535463 in the name of Mr Shani Tali, with the intent to support a claim of ownership of the London property.

In the third count, Ozekhome is accused of “dishonestly” using the alleged false passport as genuine to support the property ownership claim when he had reason to believe the document was false.

Meanwhile, the federal high court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to the late Jeremiah Useni to February 25.

In 2025, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed an ex parte application seeking an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the property, alleging that it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.