Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late former FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni, were on Friday arraigned before Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and unlawful control of a property in the United Kingdom.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), stem from an alleged scheme to forge a Nigerian international passport in the name of a fictitious person, “Tali Shani,” to support a claim to a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The controversy originated from a dispute over the London property, which became the subject of litigation at the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155. In that case, “Mrs Tali Shani” was listed as the applicant, with Ozekhome as the respondent.
Ozekhome claimed he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021 for legal services rendered. A witness identifying as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in his favor, asserting ownership since 1993 and claiming to have appointed the late Jeremiah Useni as property manager, describing him as an “elder friend and business partner.” The witness also said he held powers of attorney over the property and transferred it to Ozekhome.
Conversely, witnesses supporting “Ms Tali Shani” tendered documents, including an obituary announcement, National Identification Number (NIN) card, ECOWAS passport, and phone records to assert her ownership. However, the UK tribunal ruled all such documents fake and dismissed the claims, concluding that neither “Mr” nor “Ms Tali Shani” existed as real persons.
In Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a three-count charge against Ozekhome on January 16, 2026, accusing him of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to support his claim during the UK proceedings.
The AGF took over the case on January 26. At a resumed hearing last Tuesday, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), counsel to the AGF, applied to withdraw the charge, citing the need for time to review and consolidate issues across investigating agencies to strengthen the prosecution. Justice Peter Kekemeke struck out the charge.
They were arraigned on a 12- count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and false pretense.
At Friday`s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN drew the attention of the court to a 12 -count amended charge dated February 25, 2026, urging the court to substitute it in place of the initial original charge dated February 24, 2026.
“ My lord, I also want to draw your attention to the proof of evidence filed alongside the documents marked page 1 to 501, that your lordship will accept the amended charge alongside the proof of evidence. We rely on them that your lordship will cause the defendants to take their pleas,” he said
Count one of the charge reads; “That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Ponfa Useni, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometime in the year 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act, to wit: making a false Nigerian International Passport No.A07535463 with the name, Tali Shani, and purported same to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service with the intent of using same to support your claim of ownership of the property known as No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.
Count three of the charge reads; “That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Ponfa Useni, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to use as genuine, a false Nigerian International Passport No.A07535463 with the name Tali Shani to facilitate your claim of ownership of the property known as No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when read to them.
In view of this, the prosecution counsel stated that their no guilty plea has put them up for trial, making reference to Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice System.
“My lord, a lot are at stake in this proceedings, in the interest of the society, that of the defence and that of the legal profession, as such we will be urging your lordship that this matter, with the cooperation of the defence be granted or accord priority to the hearing and determination of this matter, I mean accelerated hearing. In that case, we will be asking for a very short trial day to enable the defendant to show cause in good faith and the prosecution prepare and be ready for the trial. We have been served with the two different applications for bail, which we won’t be opposing, so we will be urging your lordship that this matter be determined on time”, he said
Responding, counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN commended the attitude of the prosecution for not opposing the application of bail, assuring him that they will cooperate in line with the accelerated determination of the matter. He further requested that the defendant be granted bail on self-recognition, stating that his client is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over 45years legal experience who resides in Abuja who is also known by the Attorney General of the Federation.
In the same vein, counsel to the second defendant, Onoja, SAN also appreciated the prosecution for not opposing bail. Stating that the second defendant is a humble man and his spouse is also a member of the bar. Adding that his client has a very dangerous heart condition which was the reason why the EFCC granted him Administrative bail on very liberal terms.
“My short application is that he should be released to his wife in the same manner. I urge your lordship that you make the bail condition to be one surety who should be his spouse” he said
Justice Oji granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10,000,000( Ten Million Naira) each with one reasonable surety who must have a property in Abuja. She also ordered that their passports be domiciled in court custody. She further stated that the matter will be granted accelerated hearing.
The matter was adjourned to March 13, 2026, April 15,16, 2026 for trial.
