The Federal Government has arraigned prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, and Ponfa Useni son of the late former FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama on a 12-count criminal charge bordering on forgery, impersonation, conspiracy, and unlawful control of a property in the United Kingdom.
The defendants were arraigned on Friday before Justice Chizoba Oji. They pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The charges, filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), stem from an alleged scheme involving the forgery of a Nigerian international passport in the name of a fictitious person, "Tali Shani," to support a claim to a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.Key allegations include:
Between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni conspired to forge Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 bearing the name Tali Shani.
The forged passport and related documents were purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service and used to facilitate the claim to the London property.
Ponfa Useni allegedly falsely presented himself as "Tali Shani" and executed an irrevocable Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, in that name.
Ozekhome is accused of abetting the offences of false personation and cheating by personation by jointly executing the Power of Attorney with the alleged fictitious persona.
The case follows earlier proceedings, including a September 2025 judgment by a London First-Tier Tribunal that reportedly described elements of the claim as involving "fraud and forged" documents, ruling the property as part of the late General Useni's estate.
This fresh prosecution is separate from prior ICPC charges filed in January 2026 and comes amid reports that Ozekhome had been in EFCC custody over related matters.
After the plea, the court reportedly granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with sureties, though full details on conditions and next hearing date await confirmation.
The matter has drawn significant attention due to Ozekhome's stature as a constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate.
The defendants maintain their innocence, and the case is expected to proceed with full trial.
The development highlights ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to address cross-border allegations of document forgery and property fraud involving high-profile individuals.
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