The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a three-count charge against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, over allegations bordering on the acquisition of a London property belonging to the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lt Gen. Jerry Useni, using a fake passport. Useni, who …
ICPC Files Charges Against Ozekhome over Alleged Ownership of Useni’s UK House
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a three-count charge against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, over allegations bordering on the acquisition of a London property belonging to the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lt Gen. Jerry Useni, using a fake passport.
Useni, who served as FCT minister during the administration of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, died on January 23, 2025. He was in office between 1983 and 1998.
Before his death, controversy surrounded attempts to take over his London property following claims that he was unable to settle legal fees arising from his unsuccessful bid for the Plateau State governorship in 2019, which he pursued up to the Supreme Court.
Tribunal Findings and Passport Controversy
The property, located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, was reportedly acquired in 2021 by Ozekhome. Investigators alleged that the house, said to have been purchased with misappropriated funds, was transferred using questionable documentation.
Court documents indicate that Ozekhome applied in August 2021 to have the property transferred to his name, claiming it was a gift from an individual identified as Mr Tali Shani, allegedly in appreciation of legal services rendered.
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However, the application was challenged in September 2022 by Westfields Solicitors, acting for “Ms Tali Shani”, who maintained that she had been the registered owner of the property since 1993.
A judge of the London First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), Ewan Paton, subsequently ruled that both Mr and Ms Tali Shani were fictitious persons.
Further findings showed that a passport presented to the tribunal in the name of Mr Tali Shani was fake. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) later confirmed that the passport number did not exist in its database.
ICPC Charges and Legal Process
The ICPC said it received a petition citing the judgement of the London tribunal and raising public interest concerns over the ownership of the property, which Useni was said not to have personally purchased.
Following interrogation, the commission said it found sufficient grounds to arraign Ozekhome before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The charge sheet, dated January 16, 2026, was filed by the ICPC’s Head of the High Profile Prosecution Department, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, and an Assistant Chief Legal Officer, Ngozi Onwuka, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). No arraignment date has been fixed.
According to the charge, Ozekhome allegedly received the London property in August 2021, knowing that it constituted proceeds of a felony, an offence said to be contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
He is also accused of making a false Nigerian passport bearing the name “Shani Tali” with the intent to support a claim of ownership of the property, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code applicable in the FCT.
The third count alleges that Ozekhome knowingly used the forged passport to support his ownership claim, an offence punishable under Section 364 of the same law.
In a letter dated December 18, 2025, addressed to the ICPC chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap, confirmed that the passport number A07535463 had no holder and was never issued.
The letter, signed by Assistant Comptroller-General I. A. Ozigi, stated that the passport booklet was defective and had personal data unlawfully superimposed, with several inconsistencies pointing to irregular production.
Ozekhome’s Defence
In his defence, Ozekhome told investigators that the London property was a gift in appreciation of legal services he rendered to General Useni, who he said could not personally defray the costs of litigation.
He said he was aware of the ruling of the UK First-tier Tribunal and had appeared physically and virtually during the proceedings.
Ozekhome maintained that Useni handed over the property documents to him in appreciation of legal services and advice rendered, including representation in the 2019 Plateau State governorship election petitions at the tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
He also said there were no encumbrances on the property at the time of transfer and insisted that his actions were lawful and transparent.
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.
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