Justice Chizoba Orji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million each to senior advocate Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-defendant following their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include allegations of forgery. They are accused of forging documents including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney in a bid to lay claim to a London property allegedly procured unlawfully by the late General Jeremiah Useni.
Counsel to the AGF, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the defendants’ bail applications. Ozekhome was represented by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), while F. R. Onoja (SAN) appeared for Useni.
In her ruling, Justice Orji admitted both defendants to bail in the sum of ₦10 million each, with one surety apiece. The surety must own property within the Federal Capital Territory.
The court also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court as part of the bail conditions.
Justice Orji noted that since the proceedings were held on a Friday, the defendants may return home if they are unable to immediately meet the bail conditions. However, she directed that they must perfect the conditions by Monday, failing which they would be remanded in custody.
Details later…
