January 26, (THEWILL) — The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has formally taken over the prosecution of constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) in the criminal case involving alleged forgery and fraud.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had scheduled Ozekhome’s arraignment for Monday, January 26, 2026, before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama.
However, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the AGF was exercising his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to assume control of the matter.
The AGF’s office stated that the takeover is intended to ensure the case meets the highest standards of diligence and due process through inter-agency collaboration.
Both the ICPC counsel, Dr. Osuebeni Akpomisingha, and the defense team—led by former AGF Kanu Agabi (SAN) and a cohort of 15 other Senior Advocates—did not object to the move.
The case centers on a disputed property at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London.
The ICPC alleges that Ozekhome knowingly received the property as a “gift” in 2021 from an individual named Shani Tali, whom a UK property tribunal recently determined to be a fictitious identity created by the late former FCT Minister, Jeremiah Useni.
In the three-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, the senior lawyer is accused of making a false Nigerian passport (No. A07535463) in the name of Shani Tali and dishonestly using the document to support his ownership claim before the London First-tier Tribunal.
Prosecutors argue these actions violate the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Penal Code.
Justice Kekemeke has adjourned the matter to February 24, 2026, to allow the AGF’s office time to retrieve and review the case file from the ICPC before the formal arraignment.
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