The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated a major legal action against a prominent Nigerian lawyer. The anti-graft agency has filed a criminal charge against Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, accusing him of involvement in a corruption scheme connected to a property in London.
Details of the Three-Count Charge
The commission, through its Head of High Profile Prosecution Department, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, lodged the charge before the Abuja High Court. The case, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26 and dated 16 January 2026, names Ozekhome as the sole defendant.
In the first count, the ICPC alleges that the 68-year-old lawyer, who resides at No. 53 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, received a property identified as House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX around August 2021. The commission claims the property was given to him by one Mr. Shani Tali and that this act constitutes a felony under the Corrupt Practices Act.
The second count accuses the senior advocate of making a false document. The ICPC states that Ozekhome created a Nigerian passport bearing the name "Mr. Shani Tali" with number A07535463 around the same period. This passport was allegedly intended to support a fraudulent claim of ownership over the London property.
The third count asserts that Ozekhome dishonestly used the same false passport to bolster claims over the property, knowing the document was not genuine.
Supporting Evidence and Witnesses
The charge sheet is supported by several key documents, including:
- An extra-judicial statement allegedly made by the defendant on 12 January 2026.
- A judgment referenced as REF/2023/0155 dated 11 September 2025.
- Interim forfeiture proceedings related to the London house.
- A data page for "Shani Tali" and a letter dated 18 December 2025.
The ICPC has listed several individuals expected to testify as witnesses. They include investigators Wakili Musa and Tosin Olayiwola, a representative from the Nigerian Immigration Service, and investigators Ebenezer Nduo and Blessing Monokpo. The commission may also call additional witnesses. As of the time of reporting, the case had not yet been assigned to a judge.
Background and Petition
This development follows an earlier investigation triggered by a petition from Olanrewaju Suraj, head of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA). The petition cited a ruling from a London property tribunal which linked Ozekhome and others to alleged forgery and fraudulent ownership claims of the North London building.
The petition accused several individuals of conspiring with corrupt Nigerian officials to obtain forged identity documents for the purpose of fraudulently claiming ownership of the property. The ICPC's filing represents a significant escalation in this long-running investigation into international asset fraud.
