Nigerian Government Files Fresh Forgery Charges Against Senior Lawyer Mike Ozekhome
Abuja – In a significant legal development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has lodged new forgery charges against prominent lawyer, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, along with co-defendants Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, and the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former military minister. The charges were filed on Tuesday, shortly after a related case initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was withdrawn last month.
The new 12-count indictment comes from Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation. The charges encompass serious allegations including conspiracy, forgery, the use of false documents, and impersonation. Specifically, Ozekhome and Useni are accused of creating a fraudulent Nigerian international passport to mistakenly assert ownership of a disputed property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue in London.
According to the prosecution, the defendants colluded to illegally produce a false Nigerian international passport (number A07535463) bearing the name “Tali Shani.” The intent was to use this forged document in support of their claims concerning the aforementioned London property. The seriousness of these allegations, noted the prosecution, falls under various sections of the Penal Code Law of 2009, indicating substantial potential penalties.
In detail, the charges highlight that Useni impersonated a fictitious character named “Tali Shani” around May 30, 2020, to create a Power of Attorney document. Ozekhome reportedly played a supporting role in this alleged crime by facilitating the execution of the deceptive agreement, thus abetting the impersonation.
Count seven addresses Useni’s alleged act of cheating by impersonation, while count eight connects Ozekhome to the crime as an accomplice. They are further accused of possessing control over the London property alongside an amount of Eighteen Thousand Pounds Sterling, believed to be rent collected from the property, which is suspected to have been fraudulently acquired.
The allegations also state that in 2023, the defendants purportedly conspired to fabricate a false document titled “RE: REQUEST FOR AUTHENTICATION OF NIGERIAN PASSPORT NO. A07535463 BELONGING TO MR. TALI SHANI,” dated May 4, 2023. This document was also claimed to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service and was meant to further support their property claims in London.
The emergence of these fresh charges against Professor Ozekhome, a well-known figure in Nigeria’s legal landscape, adds to the ongoing scrutiny of high-profile cases involving corruption and misconduct within the country. Ozekhome’s prominent status creates additional public interest in the unfolding legal proceedings.
Supporters and critics alike are closely monitoring updates in the case, as it raises broader questions about the integrity of legal practices in the country and the efficiency of the judicial system in handling alleged high-profile fraud.
The legal community is already abuzz with reactions to the government’s renewed charges. Some commentators express concerns about the implications for representation in legal matters involving high-profile individuals while others caution about the risks of politicization of legal cases.
The unfolding situation continues to evolve, with a scheduled court appearance awaited to determine the next steps in legal proceedings. As the case progresses, the public will be keen to see how the judicial process handles the serious allegations faced by Ozekhome and his co-defendants.
For now, the focus remains on the implications of these fresh charges, not only for those directly involved but also for the legal profession and public trust in governance in Nigeria.
— Reported by Nexio News
