The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a fresh 12-count criminal charge against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The charges accuse them of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and unlawful control of property in the United Kingdom, specifically a residence at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2. According to court documents, the Federal Ministry of Justice instituted the charges on behalf of the federal government, citing extensive evidence suggesting a coordinated scheme to assert ownership of the property using falsified documents.
The prosecution alleges that in 2020, in Abuja, the defendants conspired to procure a false Nigerian International Passport, numbered A07535463, in the name “Tali Shani,” a purported identity created for the purpose of the property claim. The documents are said to have been fabricated by the defendants and used to support their claim to the London property.
The charge indicates that the late Gen. Jeremiah Useni was involved as a co-conspirator in several of the counts, though he passed away before the formal filing of the charges.
In the charge, Counts 1 and 2 allege that between May 30, 2020, and 2021, the defendants agreed to commit an illegal act by forging the passport and subsequently making use of the false document. These alleged acts are said to contravene Sections 96 and 363 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and are punishable under Section 364.
The prosecution contends that the defendants’ intention in producing and using the documents was to substantiate their claim to the London property and mislead authorities about the ownership and control of the asset.
Count 3 of the charge accuses the defendants of conspiring in 2022 to use the forged passport as genuine in facilitating their claim to the London property. Count 4 alleges that between 2023 and 2025, the defendants dishonestly used the passport as if it were authentic.
These counts emphasize a sustained period of alleged criminal activity, indicating that the prosecution believes the defendants deliberately perpetuated the use of falsified documents over several years.
Counts 5 and 7 focus specifically on Ponfa Useni and allege false personation and cheating by personation. The prosecution asserts that on or about May 30, 2020, Useni falsely presented himself as “Tali Shani,” a fictitious identity, and executed an irrevocable Power of Attorney in that name to advance the property claim.
The charges suggest that the creation and use of this identity were central to the defendants’ alleged plan to circumvent legal ownership procedures and mislead authorities regarding the property.
In Counts 6 and 8, Chief Ozekhome is accused of abetting Useni in the offences of impersonation and cheating by personation. He is alleged to have jointly executed the irrevocable Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, with the fictitious persona, thereby facilitating the claim to the London property.
The prosecution maintains that Ozekhome’s involvement was integral to the scheme and that his legal expertise may have been used to lend credibility to the documents and acts executed under the false identity.
Count 9 alleges that Ozekhome, sometime in 2022 in Abuja, had under his control the property at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London, which investigators reasonably suspected had been unlawfully obtained by the late General Useni using the fictitious identity.
Count 10 further alleges that Ozekhome had under his control £18,000, claimed to be part of the rent accrued from the London property, which investigators believed had been obtained unlawfully.
These counts highlight the prosecution’s assertion that the property and associated proceeds were misappropriated and controlled outside legitimate legal channels.
Counts 11 and 12 focus on a separate alleged act of forgery in 2023, wherein the defendants purportedly conspired to create a document titled “Re: Request for Authentication of Nigerian Passport No. A07535463 Belonging to Mr Tali Shani,” dated May 4, 2023.
The prosecution claims that this document was falsely presented as having been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to further legitimize the property claim. The offences are said to contravene Sections 83, 84, 96, 179, 319A, 321, 322, 363, 364, and 366 of the Penal Code Law 2009.
The charge was signed by the Rotimi Oyedepo and the Chief State Counsel, A.R. Tahir, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. In an affidavit of completion of investigation deposed to by a litigation officer in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the prosecution stated that the investigation into the matter had substantially concluded and that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants.
This statement underscores the federal government’s view that sufficient evidence exists to warrant formal court proceedings.
Both Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni are currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, pending arraignment. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory is expected to fix a date for their formal appearance in court. The federal government has emphasized that all legal procedures will be observed and that the rights of the defendants will be fully protected during the process.
Earlier on the day the new charges were filed, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had withdrawn three previous charges against Ozekhome. Oyedepo informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that “the AGF had decided to take a holistic review of the case to determine the most appropriate course of action.”
Following the application, which was not opposed by Ozekhome’s defence team led by Paul Erokoro, the court struck out the earlier charges. This procedural development reflects the AGF’s decision to consolidate and strengthen the case before proceeding.
On January 29, 2026, Oyedepo notified the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation had taken over the prosecution from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission pursuant to Section 174 of the Constitution.
Oyedepo explained that this section empowers the AGF to “institute, take over, or discontinue criminal proceedings” in the public interest. He further added that the decision was guided by considerations of fairness, competence, and the need to instil confidence in the criminal justice system.
Oyedepo stated, “The Attorney General was guided by public interest considerations and the need to instil confidence, fairness, and competence in the criminal justice system. Inter-agency cooperation in combating corruption was also a factor in the takeover.”
He emphasized that the move ensures the case would be prosecuted with the highest standards and that no individual or agency would suffer injustice during the review and consolidation of charges.
The prosecution has maintained that the new 12-count charge represents a more comprehensive approach to addressing the alleged offences, avoiding piecemeal filings and ensuring that all alleged criminal acts are considered in a single, coherent legal proceeding.
The federal government’s legal team argued that this method would promote efficiency, clarity, and transparency in the administration of justice, while preserving the rights of the defendants to a fair hearing.
Chief Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni face serious potential penalties if found guilty, including imprisonment, fines, and disqualification from holding or managing property. Legal analysts have noted that the case is highly complex, involving both domestic law under the Penal Code Law 2009 and international property rights in the United Kingdom.
The alleged forgery of official documents, execution of a power of attorney in a fictitious identity, and unlawful control of property constitute offences that are treated with particular severity under Nigerian law.
The case has drawn national attention due to the prominence of the defendants, the involvement of a former FCT Minister, and the transnational nature of the property dispute.
Observers have also highlighted the procedural significance of the AGF’s decision to take over the prosecution from the ICPC, as it reflects the federal government’s commitment to tackling high-profile cases of alleged corruption and document forgery.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed that it would continue to maintain custody of both defendants and assist the prosecution in ensuring that evidence from the investigation, including documents relating to the London property and associated financial transactions, is properly presented in court.
Investigators have also confirmed that the affidavit of completion of investigation indicates a substantial body of evidence supporting the charges, reinforcing the strength of the federal government’s case.
Legal experts and analysts have emphasized that the proceedings are still in the preliminary stages, and all allegations are yet to be tested in court. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory is expected to set a date for arraignment, after which the defendants will formally enter pleas.
The federal government has stressed its commitment to due process, declaring that “no party will suffer injustice during the review and consolidation of the charges,” signaling a careful and measured approach to the prosecution of these high-profile allegations.