FG Arraigns Mike Ozekhome on Forgery, False Information Charges
FG Arraigns Mike Ozekhome on Forgery, False Information Charges
The Federal Government has instituted criminal proceedings against senior lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, over allegations of document forgery and the use of false records in a disputed property matter in the United Kingdom.
The three-count charge, filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses Ozekhome of presenting allegedly forged documents to support ownership claims over a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London. The case was filed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation by prosecutors from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the charge, Ozekhome is alleged to have knowingly relied on falsified documents, including a Nigerian international passport bearing the name “Shani Tali,” during proceedings before a London First-Tier Tribunal to assert ownership of the property.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred in August 2021, partly in Abuja and during legal proceedings in London.
The counts against him include accusations of providing false information, forging official documents, and using documents believed to be fraudulent to mislead a public authority.
Prosecutors claim that the passport and other materials were created and presented with intent to commit fraud.
The Federal Government has listed investigators, officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service and other relevant witnesses to testify during trial. Documentary evidence to be tendered includes tribunal records from the UK proceedings, official correspondence, statements and passport data linked to the disputed identity.
No trial date has yet been fixed.
The criminal case stems from a long-running ownership dispute involving the London property. The matter was heard by the UK First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), where conflicting claims were made over the rightful ownership of the house.
Ozekhome had told the tribunal that the property was gifted to him in 2021 by an individual identified as “Mr. Tali Shani.” A witness also appeared in support of this claim, stating that he held power of attorney over the property and had transferred ownership to Ozekhome.
On the opposing side, another party, “Ms. Tali Shani,” also claimed ownership, presenting documents including identity records and other personal data to support her case.
However, the tribunal reportedly found that documents submitted by the rival claimant were not authentic. In its final ruling, the tribunal concluded that neither “Mr.” nor “Ms. Tali Shani” existed as genuine persons and held that the property was actually linked to a different individual, the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni, who had used a false identity.
The tribunal consequently dismissed the competing claims.
