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FG Files Criminal Charges Against Ozekhome Over Alleged Forgery in Disputed UK Property Case
The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, over alleged forgery and the use of false documents in connection with a disputed property in the United Kingdom.
The three-count charge, numbered FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, was filed on Friday before a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The prosecution is being handled by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, head of the high-profile prosecution unit at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, alongside Ngozi Onwuka, an assistant chief legal officer.
According to the charge, Ozekhome is 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. The documents were allegedly used during proceedings before the London First-tier Tribunal.
The Federal Government alleged that the offences were committed in August 2021, partly in London and within the Maitama area of Abuja, placing the matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
In the first count, the government accused Ozekhome of knowingly receiving the London property, allegedly gifted to him by one Shani Tali, an act it claimed constituted a felony under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The second count alleged that Ozekhome, while acting as a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, forged a Nigerian passport bearing the name Shani Tali with the intent to support a fraudulent ownership claim. The third count accused him of dishonestly using the said passport as a genuine document, despite allegedly knowing it was false.
The prosecution listed several witnesses it intends to call during the trial, including investigators involved in the case and a representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service. Documents to be tendered include the judgment of the London First-tier Tribunal, extra-judicial statements, official correspondence from relevant authorities and passport records linked to the name Shani Tali. No trial date has been fixed.
The charge stems from a long-running controversy surrounding the ownership of the London property, which was the subject of proceedings at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), Land Registration, United Kingdom, under case number REF/2023/0155. The parties to the dispute included Ozekhome and the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni.
During the tribunal proceedings, Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift from a man identified as Mr Tali Shani in 2021. However, lawyers representing a claimant identified as Ms Tali Shani insisted she was the rightful owner. A witness who testified in support of Ozekhome claimed to be Mr Tali Shani and stated that he had owned the property since 1993, later appointing Useni as his property manager and transferring ownership to Ozekhome.
In contrast, witnesses for Ms Tali Shani tendered documents including an obituary notice, National Identification Number card, ECOWAS passport and phone records to support their claim. The tribunal ultimately ruled that all documents presented for Ms Tali Shani were fake and dismissed her claims.
In its final decision, the tribunal held that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed, ruling instead that the true owner of the property had been Jeremiah Useni, operating under a false identity.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new round of appointments and promotions with immediate effect, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance institutional performance in the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Matawalle, a retired permanent secretary, previously served in a similar role and also held office as the board’s executive secretary. He was described as a seasoned administrator who rose through the civil service ranks from Assistant Secretary to Permanent Secretary before retiring in 2014, after eight years in the position. The statement noted his strong track record in the effective management of Hajj operations.
Governor Yusuf also approved the promotion of Yusuf Mukhtar to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
In another appointment, Barrister Rahama Malam Alhaji was named Provost of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Institute. She was praised as an accomplished legal practitioner with over seven years’ experience spanning litigation, corporate law, electricity law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The statement highlighted her professional background across both public and private sectors, including her time at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company and her role as Head of the School of Law at Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and was credited with pioneering initiatives such as the establishment of a Law Clinic and a Student Bar Association.
The governor further approved the promotion of veteran Kannywood actress Aina’u Ade from Special Assistant to Senior Special Assistant on Kannywood Affairs, citing her impressive performance and dedication in her previous assignment.
The statement said the latest appointments and promotions reflect the administration’s resolve to reinforce governance structures and ensure the efficient management of public institutions. Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, transparency and unwavering commitment to the Kano First Agenda.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has issued a public alert over a fraudulent LinkedIn account impersonating its Director-General, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, urging Nigerians to disregard and report any communication linked to the fake profile.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Institute’s Media Consultant, Mr Sam Eferaro, NIMR disclosed that the impostor account has been sending misleading messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely offering procurement opportunities, contracts and other business-related engagements.
According to the statement, the attention of the Institute was drawn to the existence of the fake LinkedIn profile posing as the Director-General, adding that all messages emanating from the account are entirely fraudulent.
NIMR cautioned members of the public against engaging with any messages purportedly sent by Professor Obafunwa through LinkedIn or other unofficial platforms, particularly those soliciting business dealings or financial commitments.
The Institute further emphasised that all legitimate interactions with vendors, contractors, partners and the public are conducted strictly through recognised and official institutional channels, in line with established public service procedures.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made concerning genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN described the demand as unfounded and unjustifiable, stressing that Prof. Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to express opinions on matters of national interest, regardless of his public office.
The Fellowship maintained that the remarks attributed to the INEC chairman had no link to his official duties, noting that they were unrelated to elections or electoral processes, which fall within the scope of his professional responsibilities.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a citizen of Nigeria, has the right to speak on issues he perceives as affecting the nation, irrespective of his appointment or position,” the statement said.
PFN further condemned suggestions that the INEC chairman should be removed on the basis of personal views expressed outside his official mandate, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent where public officials are penalised for holding or expressing independent opinions.
The organisation also cautioned against interpreting national discourse through religious perspectives, arguing that such an approach risks deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“We must guard against profiling individuals or judging them based on religious considerations. Prof. Amupitan has the right to express his views, and this should not come at the expense of his office,” the statement added.
The Fellowship urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and mutual respect in addressing sensitive national issues, emphasising that unity, fairness, and peaceful engagement must remain central to public discourse.
PFN reaffirmed its commitment to justice and national cohesion, calling on Nigerians to uphold democratic values in responding to differing opinions on matters affecting the country.