The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the criminal case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
The takeover effectively stalled Ozekhome’s planned arraignment before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on a three-count charge bordering on forgery and related offences.
At proceedings on Monday, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that he was appearing on behalf of the AGF and formally notified it of the decision to assume control of the prosecution.
Oyedepo said the AGF acted pursuant to the powers conferred on him under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which authorises the Attorney General to take over and continue criminal proceedings instituted by any authority.
Counsel to the ICPC, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, raised no objection to the takeover.
Similarly, the defence team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and comprising 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria did not oppose the application.
Following an unchallenged request for adjournment by the prosecution, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the case to February 24 for arraignment.
Property dispute
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 26 to rule on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the late Jeremiah Useni.
The decision followed the failure of any person or representative of Useni’s estate to appear within the statutory 14-day window to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The forfeiture proceedings stemmed from an ex parte application filed in late 2025 by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which sought interim forfeiture and preservation orders over the property, alleging it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.
On November 28, Justice Binta Nyako granted the interim forfeiture order and directed the CCB to publish the notice in a national newspaper within 14 days, inviting any individual or entity claiming an interest in the property to come forward and establish lawful ownership.
The property, located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, has featured prominently in a long-running ownership dispute involving Ozekhome and Useni, a retired lieutenant-general.
The matter was also heard before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), Land Registration, under case reference REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
Conflicting claims were made by individuals identified as “Mr Tali Shani” and “Ms Tali Shani.” Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, while lawyers representing “Ms Tali Shani” argued that she was the rightful owner.
During the proceedings, a witness identifying himself as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming ownership of the property since 1993 and stating that he later appointed Useni as his property manager, whom he described as an “elder friend and business partner.” He further claimed to have transferred the property to Ozekhome through powers of attorney.
However, witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani” tendered documents including an obituary notice, National Identification Number (NIN), ECOWAS passport, and other records to support her claim of ownership.
The tribunal ultimately rejected all the documents presented on her behalf, ruling that they were fake.
In a decisive judgment, the tribunal dismissed all claims, concluding that neither “Mr Tali Shani” nor “Ms Tali Shani” existed.
