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By Daniel Adaji
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has cautioned against what it described as a “media trial” of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, insisting that the criminal charges filed against him do not amount to a conviction and urging strict adherence to due process.
In a rejoinder issued on Monday and signed by Bedford Berefa Benjamin, National Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, the youth body said it was compelled to respond to “sensational narratives and trial-by-media reportage” surrounding the ongoing legal proceedings involving Ozekhome, whom it described as “an internationally respected legal luminary and human rights advocate.”
“We issue this rejoinder to set the record straight, defend the principle of fair hearing, and warn against deliberate reputational assassination under the guise of judicial processes,” the IYC stated.
Emphasising the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence, the council declared that, “Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, remains presumed innocent under Nigerian and international law until proven otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.”
It warned that attempts to pronounce guilt through media reports were dangerous to the justice system, adding that, “Attempts to pronounce guilt through media headlines, leaked ‘proofs of evidence,’ and selective interpretation of court documents are unacceptable, unprofessional, and dangerous to the rule of law.”
The IYC further stressed that the filing of charges should not be misconstrued as proof of guilt. “The filing of charges does not amount to a conviction,” the group said, noting that what exists at this stage are allegations which the senior lawyer has responded to and which are now before the courts for determination.
According to the council, portraying the allegations as established facts is “misleading and malicious.”
Raising concerns over media conduct, the IYC condemned what it called selective leaks and one-sided reporting of the case.
“This one-sided media trial raises serious questions about motive and agenda,” it said, adding that all materials cited by the prosecution “remain subject to cross-examination, interpretation, and judicial scrutiny.”
The group also warned that it would resist any attempt to tarnish Ozekhome’s reputation, declaring that it “ will not stand by while one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal minds is subjected to media lynching , character assassination, and pre-judgement.”
Calling for restraint, the IYC urged Nigerians and the international community to allow the judicial process to run its course. “Let the court decide,” it said, stressing that “Justice thrives in silence, balance, and objectivity, not in sensational headlines.”
The federal government has filed a three-count criminal charge against Ozekhome at a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged forgery and use of false documents linked to a disputed property in the United Kingdom.
The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, was filed on Friday by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, head of the high-profile prosecution department at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Ngozi Onwuka, an assistant chief legal officer, on behalf of the attorney-general of the federation.
Ozekhome is accused of 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 charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed sometime in August 2021 in the Maitama area of Abuja.
Count one alleges that Ozekhome directly received the London property, purportedly given to him by one Mr Shani Tali, an act the prosecution claims constituted a felony under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count two accuses him of making a false document, specifically a Nigerian passport bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali, with intent to support his claim of ownership of the property, contrary to provisions of the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
Count three alleges that Ozekhome dishonestly used the said passport, knowing it to be false, in an attempt to deceive a public authority.
The federal government has listed several witnesses it intends to call during the trial, including investigators and a representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Documents to be tendered include the judgment of the London First-Tier Tribunal, extra-judicial statements, correspondence from relevant authorities, and passport data relating to Shani Tali. A trial date has yet to be fixed.
The case stems from a dispute over ownership of the London property at 79 Randall Avenue. Parties linked to the dispute include Ozekhome and the late Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general.
The matter was heard by the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
Ozekhome had maintained that he received the house as a gift from Mr Tali Shani in 2021, while lawyers representing Ms Tali Shani claimed she was the rightful owner. A witness identified as Mr Tali Shani testified in support of Ozekhome, asserting ownership of the property since 1993 and claiming to have transferred it to the SAN.
However, documents tendered by witnesses for Ms Tali Shani were found by the tribunal to be fake. In a twist, the tribunal ultimately dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed and holding that the real owner, using a false name, was Useni.
Despite the ongoing criminal proceedings in Nigeria, the Ijaw Youth Council insists that Ozekhome is entitled to the full protection of the law, declaring: “No to media trial, yes to due process, yes to presumption of innocence, yes to protection of legitimate reputation.”