The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, arraigned Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome (SAN), Ponfa Useni, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased) before Justice C.N. Oji of the FCT High Court, Maitama, over the alleged forgery of documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to facilitate ownership claims to a property in the United Kingdom.
The defendants were brought before the court on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), drew the court’s attention to an amended charge dated February 25, 2026, urging that it be substituted for the original charge filed on February 24, 2026. He also asked the court to admit the accompanying proof of evidence spanning 501 pages and to direct the defendants to take their pleas.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2020 in Abuja to produce a false Nigerian international passport bearing the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), with the intent of using it to support a claim of ownership of a property located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
Another count alleged that in 2022, the defendants conspired to present the same passport as genuine to facilitate the property ownership claim.
When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to grant accelerated hearing of the case, citing the broader public interest and the need for expeditious determination. Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution would not oppose the defendants’ bail applications but requested that the trial be scheduled promptly to allow both parties to prepare.
Counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), commended the prosecution for not opposing bail and assured the court of the defence’s cooperation in ensuring speedy resolution of the case. He urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, noting that Ozekhome is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over four decades of legal practice and is resident in Abuja.
The matter was adjourned for further proceedings.
