AGF WITHDRAWS 'FORGERY' CHARGE AGAINST OZEKHOME

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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR

A high court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located in Maitama, dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mike Ozekhome, who is a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

On January 16, the ICPC had submitted a lawsuit that included three charges, which were related to accusations of forgery, against Ozekhome.

The office of the attorney-general of the federation had taken over the case on January 26. Rotimi Oyedepo, who represents the AGF, said on the last adjourned date that the case should be handled with the highest level of efficiency, effectiveness, care, and by following the proper legal procedures.

But at the court session that resumed on Tuesday, which was meant for Ozekhome’s arraignment, Oyedepo asked the court to dismiss the case.

He explained that the AGF’s office needs time to go through and bring together all the issues that involve different investigative agencies.

Oyedepo added that this would help strengthen the case. Consequently, Peter Kekemeke, presiding judge, struck out the case.

Ozekhome was accused of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to support his claim of ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal.

The alleged offences were committed sometime in August 2021 in the Maitama area of the nation’s capital, within the jurisdiction of the court.

Named in the property dispute are Ozekhome and Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general who is now deceased.

It was filed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.

The property had been claimed by one ‘Ms Tali Shani’ on one hand and Ozekhome on the other.

Ozekhome said he received the house as a gift from ‘Mr Tali Shani’ in 2021, while lawyers for ‘Ms Shani’ insisted she was the rightful owner.

A witness known as ‘Mr Tali Shani had testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming that he had “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred the property to the respondent (Ozekhome).

Mr Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elder friend and business partner”.

On the other hand, several documents, including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc were tendered by witnesses of Ms Tali Shani to claim ownership of the property.

However, the tribunal found all the documents tendered for Ms Tali Shani to be fake.

The tribunal subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.

The court ruled that the real owner, via a false name, was Useni.