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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome (SAN) in Abuja in connection with an alleged forged document scheme tied to a disputed London property reportedly linked to retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni.
Ozekhome’s arrest on Friday came shortly after the striking out of an earlier forgery charge at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The initial case had been instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) but was withdrawn by the Attorney-General of the Federation to pave the way for what prosecutors described as a more comprehensive action.
In a swift turn of events, a fresh 12-count charge was filed at the FCT High Court accusing Ozekhome and co-defendant Ponfa Useni, also known by the alias “Tali Shani,” of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and related offences.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly procured a false Nigerian international passport in the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, between May 2020 and 2021. Prosecutors claim the document was used to assert ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
The prosecution further alleged that an irrevocable Power of Attorney executed in 2020 and other supporting documents were forged to advance the property claim. Investigators also contend that approximately £18,000 in rental proceeds from the property may have been unlawfully collected.
The London property dispute had earlier attracted attention in the United Kingdom after Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift in 2021 from a man identified as “Mr Tali Shani.” However, during proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in London, identification documents presented in support of rival ownership claims were reportedly found to be fraudulent. The tribunal dismissed the claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani could be established as existing persons.
Prior to the EFCC’s intervention, the ICPC had in January filed a three-count charge accusing Ozekhome of presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian passport, in relation to the London property claim. That charge was later withdrawn by the Attorney-General’s office on the grounds that it required strengthening, leading the court to strike it out.
Following the withdrawal, the EFCC moved to detain the senior lawyer. He is expected to be arraigned on a fresh 12-count charge in the coming days.