The Federal Government has filed a 12-count charge against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over alleged conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and unlawful control of a property in the United Kingdom.
The charge, instituted by the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Federal Government, centres on a disputed property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2.
Allegations Of Forgery And Conspiracy
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2020 to procure a forged Nigerian International Passport in the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The government contends that the passport was intended to support a claim to the London property.
The charge cites Sections 96, 363 and 364 of the Penal Code Law 2009, among other provisions, alleging conspiracy to commit forgery, making false documents, and using forged documents as genuine between 2020 and 2025.
Role Of Late Gen. Useni
The late former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Jeremiah Useni, was named in several counts as a co-conspirator.
The prosecution alleged that Useni falsely presented himself as “Tali Shani,” described as a fictitious identity, and executed an irrevocable Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, in connection with the property claim.
Ozekhome was accused of abetting the alleged impersonation and cheating by personation by jointly executing the Power of Attorney with the purported fictitious person.
Control Of Property And Rent
One count alleges that Ozekhome had control of the London property in 2022, which investigators reasonably suspected was unlawfully obtained.
Another count accuses him of controlling £18,000, described as part of rent accrued from the property and allegedly obtained through unlawful means.
Further counts relate to the alleged forgery of a 2023 document titled “Re: Request for Authentication of Nigerian Passport No. A07535463 Belonging to Mr Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
AGF’s Intervention And Case Review
The charge was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Earlier, the Office of the Attorney-General withdrew three prior charges filed against Ozekhome to conduct what it described as a holistic review of the matter.
The AGF invoked Section 174 of the Constitution, which empowers the office to institute, take over or discontinue criminal proceedings in the public interest.
The defendants are currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The FCT High Court is expected to fix a date for their arraignment.
The development marks a new phase in the legal battle over the disputed UK property, with the prosecution asserting that a prima facie case has been established against the accused.
