February 27, (THEWILL) — Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, pleaded not guilty on Friday to a 12-count charge involving alleged forgery linked to a disputed London property.
Following their plea, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama granted them bail in the sum of 10 million naira each and ordered the seizure of their international passports.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Chizoba Oji on charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The Federal Government had earlier in the week filed fresh charges against Ozekhome, Useni—who is also known as Tali Shani—and the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jeremiah Useni.
This new charge followed the withdrawal of an earlier case instituted last month by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, alleged that the defendants forged a Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 in the name of “Tali Shani” and used it to lay claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
According to the charge, counts one to five accused the defendants of conspiring to make a false Nigerian international passport and purporting it to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, with intent to use it to support their claim to the disputed London property, contrary to Sections 96 and 364 of the Penal Code Law 2009.
In count five, Ponfa Useni was alleged to have falsely personated “Tali Shani,” described as a fictitious person, and executed a Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, thereby committing an offence under Section 179 of the same law.
Ozekhome, in count six, was accused of abetting the alleged personation by jointly executing an irrevocable Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, to facilitate the claim to the London property, contrary to Sections 83 and 84 of the Penal Code Law 2009. Further counts alleged cheating by personation and abetment.
In counts nine and ten, the Federal Government claimed that Ozekhome had control of the London property in 2022, as well as 18,000 pounds sterling in rent accrued from it, which it alleged were reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained by the late General Useni using a fictitious identity.
In count 11, the defendants were also accused of conspiring in 2023 to forge a document titled: “Re: Request for Authentication of Nigerian Passport No. A07535463 Belonging to Mr. Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to further support their claim to the property.
Following their plea, their counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and F. R. Onoja, SAN, moved separate bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
In his ruling, Justice Oji granted bail to each defendant in the sum of 10 million naira with one surety each, who must own landed property within the FCT.
The court also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports. Considering that proceedings were held on a Friday, the judge directed that the defendants may return home if unable to immediately meet the bail conditions but must perfect them by Monday, failing which they would be remanded in prison custody. The matter was adjourned for further proceedings.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
