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By Oscar Okhifo
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has assumed control of the prosecution of Mike Ozekhome, SAN, over allegations connected to a United Kingdom property.
The Attorney General, acting through the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, disclosed this on Monday during proceedings at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, where he formally applied to take over the prosecution of the case from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC had on January 16, 2026, filed a three-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026 against the senior advocate, accusing him of providing false information and using forged documents in connection with a property situated in the United Kingdom.
Addressing the court, Oyedepo informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the takeover of the prosecution was in exercise of the AGF’s powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, adding that the move was intended to ensure that the case is prosecuted in line with the highest standards of diligence, effectiveness and strict adherence to due process of law.
He further explained that the decision was guided by public interest and the need to promote confidence, fairness and competence in the criminal justice system, as well as to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in the ongoing fight against corruption.
The DPPF assured the court that the rights of the defendant would be fully protected and that no party would suffer any injustice in the course of the proceedings.
He therefore urged the court to take judicial notice of the takeover of the prosecution by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) and sought an adjournment to enable his office retrieve and thoroughly review the case file from the ICPC before taking a well-informed decision on the next line of action.
Ozekhome is accused of allegedly giving false information and using forged documents to deceive a public authority. He is also charged with knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to support his claim of ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal.
According to the ICPC, the alleged offences were committed sometime in August 2021 at Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
At the hearing, Dr. Osuebeni Akpos appeared for the ICPC, while former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN, led a team of 15 other Senior Advocates of Nigeria for the defendant.
With no objection from counsel and the ICPC assuring full cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter to February 24 for the arraignment of the defendant.