The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has filed fresh 12-count criminal charges against prominent constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome. The charges relate to his alleged involvement in a fraudulent attempt to claim ownership of a property in London, United Kingdom.
Ozekhome, a law professor, was charged alongside Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani). The AGF alleges that the two conspired to forge documents to support a false claim over a house located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2.
Specifically, the accused are said to have forged a Nigerian international passport (No. A07535463) in the name of Tali Shani, purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, to back their property claim. They are also accused of jointly executing an irrevocable power of attorney dated May 30, 2020, in the name of the fictitious Tali Shani, to further their alleged scheme.
Ponfa Useni faces additional charges of impersonation, reportedly attempting to claim the London property, allegedly acquired by the late General Jeremiah Useni, under a fictitious identity.
The charges were filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, on behalf of the AGF at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. The case has yet to be assigned to a judge for arraignment.
The fresh charges were instituted less than 24 hours after the AGF withdrew an earlier case filed against Ozekhome by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The 12-count charges cover allegations including forgery, impersonation, cheating, and unlawful possession of property and funds linked to the London property.
Recall that the court had dismissed the earlier charge after AGF withdrawal.
