JUST IN: FG files fresh charges against Mike Ozekhome

The Federal Government has initiated fresh criminal proceedings against senior lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, over allegations linked to the use of a forged Nigerian passport in a protracted property dispute in the United Kingdom.

The new 12-count charge was filed on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. Also named in the suit is Ponfa Useni, son of the late former Minister of the FCT, General Jeremiah Useni.

The latest action marks a renewed push by federal authorities after an earlier case against Ozekhome was withdrawn. Previously, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned the senior lawyer on a three-count charge bordering on fraud and forgery in connection with a disputed property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.

However, the case was struck out by the FCT High Court after the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, took over the prosecution and subsequently discontinued it.

In the earlier charge, the ICPC alleged that Ozekhome presented forged documents, including a Nigerian passport, in support of his claim to ownership of the London property. Investigators claimed the property was purportedly transferred to him in August 2021 as a gift from one “Mr. Tali Shani.” Authorities, however, questioned the authenticity of documents used to validate the transfer, alleging that they contravened provisions of the Corrupt Practices Act and the Penal Code.

Following the AGF’s intervention in January, government counsel Rotimi Oyedepo had assured the court that the matter would be handled with diligence and in strict compliance with due process. Yet, at a later hearing, Oyedepo applied to withdraw the charges, explaining that the AGF’s office intended to review and harmonise issues involving multiple investigative agencies to strengthen the case. Justice Peter Kekemeke subsequently struck out the suit.