The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) has filed a fresh 12-count criminal charge against renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, over allegations of fraudulent claims to a London property.
Ozekhome, alongside one Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), is accused of conspiring to forge documents to assert ownership of a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
According to the charges, the duo allegedly forged a Nigerian International Passport in the name of Tali Shani and purported it was issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to support their property claim. They are also accused of executing an Irrevocable Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, in the name of a fictitious person, Tali Shani, to facilitate the claim.
Ponfa Useni, separately, faces allegations of impersonation in connection with the property, which is said to have originally belonged to the late General Jeremiah Useni.
The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on behalf of the AGF at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are yet to be assigned to any judge for arraignment.
The fresh filing comes less than 24 hours after the AGF withdrew an earlier charge filed against Ozekhome by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Among the counts, Ozekhome and Useni are accused of forging passports, abetting personation, executing false powers of attorney, and controlling property and rental proceeds obtained under suspicious circumstances. The offences, if proven, contravene various sections of the Penal Code Law, 2009.
The AGF’s action signals a renewed focus on alleged fraudulent claims involving foreign assets by prominent Nigerians, highlighting the government’s commitment to tackling financial crimes and document forgery.
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