ICPC Drags Ozekhome to Court Over Alleged London Property Fraud

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed criminal charges against renowned constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), over alleged fraudulent acquisition of a property in London.

In a three-count charge filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, the anti-graft agency accused the senior advocate of complicity in a large-scale corruption scheme involving a residential building located at 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.

The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26 and dated January 16, 2026, was signed by the Head of ICPC High Profile Prosecution Department, Osuobeni Akponimisingha. Ozekhome was listed as the sole defendant.

Details of the Charges

In count one, the ICPC alleged that the 68-year-old lawyer, resident at No. 53 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, received the London property in August 2021 from one Mr. Shani Tali, an act said to be contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under Section 24 of the same law.

The second count accused Ozekhome of forging a Nigerian passport bearing the name of Mr. Tali with number A07535463. The Commission claimed the document was created to falsely establish ownership of the property with intent to defraud, an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code (FCT) 2006.

Count three further alleged that the defendant knowingly presented the forged passport as genuine to support his claim over the property, an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.

Exhibits and Witnesses

Documents attached to the charge include a judgment in case REF/2023/0155 dated September 11, 2025, the defendant’s extra-judicial statement of January 12, 2026, and records of interim forfeiture proceedings on the property at the Federal High Court.

Other exhibits are a letter dated December 18, 2025, the data page of Mr. Tali’s passport and several investigative reports.

The ICPC listed its investigators Wakili Musa and Tosin Olayiwola among witnesses expected to testify. A representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service is also billed to give evidence on the authenticity of the disputed passport.

Additional witnesses, including Ebenezer Nduo and Blessing Monokpo, may be subpoenaed as the trial progresses.

As at press time, the case had yet to be assigned to a judge for commencement of hearing.