A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama has struck out a suit filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
This followed the formal withdrawal of the charge against Ozekhome by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The ICPC had, on January 16, filed a three-count charge bordering on allegations of forgery against Ozekhome. The case was taken over by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on January 26.
At the last adjourned date, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the AGF, said the matter would be prosecuted with “the highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence and compliance with due process of law”.
However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, which was scheduled for the arraignment of Ozekhome, Oyedepo informed the court of an application to withdraw the charge.
He explained that the office of the AGF required time to review and consolidate issues arising from the case, noting that the matter involved multiple investigating agencies. According to him, this would help in strengthening the case.
Consequently, the presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, struck out the charge.
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Ozekhome was accused of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, in support of his claim to ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-tier Tribunal.
The alleged offences were said to have been committed in August 2021 in the Maitama area of Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.
Background
The property dispute involved Ozekhome and Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general who is now deceased.
The case, filed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), Land Registration, United Kingdom, was registered under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
The property was claimed by one Ms Tali Shani on one hand, and by Ozekhome on the other. Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift from Mr Tali Shani in 2021, while lawyers to Ms Shani argued that she was the rightful owner.
A witness identified as Mr Tali Shani testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming he held powers of attorney over the property and had transferred it to Ozekhome. He also asserted ownership of the property since 1993 and said he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing him as an “elder friend and business partner”.
On the other hand, witnesses for Ms Shani tendered several documents, including an obituary announcement, National Identification Number (NIN) card, ECOWAS passport and phone records, to support her claim.
However, the tribunal found the documents presented on behalf of Ms Shani to be forged and subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed. The tribunal held that the true owner of the property, using a false identity, was Useni.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
