Court Clears Mike Ozekhome of Forgery Allegations as AGF Withdraws Charges
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has officially cleared senior advocate Mike Ozekhome of forgery allegations after the Attorney General of the Federation's office moved to withdraw the criminal charges against him. This significant development occurred during a court session on Tuesday when the AGF's counsel applied to have the case struck out.
Legal Proceedings and Withdrawal Application
During the scheduled arraignment proceedings, Rotimi Oyedepo, representing the Attorney General's office, formally applied to withdraw the three-count forgery charge originally filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. Oyedepo explained to the court that the AGF's office required additional time to thoroughly review and consolidate issues that span multiple investigative agencies involved in the matter.
The counsel emphasized that this comprehensive review would ultimately strengthen the case and ensure proper coordination between different government bodies handling related investigations. Presiding Judge Peter Kekemeke subsequently granted the application and struck out the suit, effectively clearing Ozekhome of the allegations that had been pending since January.
Background of the Property Dispute
The forgery allegations stemmed from a complex property ownership dispute concerning a London residence at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission had accused Ozekhome of presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal in August 2021.
The property dispute involved Ozekhome and the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni, with the case filed at the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration in the United Kingdom under case number REF/2023/0155. Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift from an individual identified as 'Mr Tali Shani' in 2021, while opposing legal representatives claimed 'Ms Tali Shani' was the rightful owner.
London Tribunal Findings and Evidence
The London tribunal conducted extensive hearings on the matter and made several critical determinations regarding the evidence presented. Documents submitted by witnesses representing Ms Tali Shani, including an obituary announcement, National Identification Number card, ECOWAS passport, and telephone records, were declared fraudulent by the tribunal panel.
The tribunal ultimately ruled that neither 'Mr' nor 'Ms' Tali Shani actually existed as real individuals, determining instead that the actual property owner had been using a false identity. The court found that retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni was the genuine owner operating under this pseudonym, with testimony indicating he had appointed Useni as his property manager, describing him as an elder friend and business partner.
Case History and Government Actions
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission originally filed the three-count charge against Ozekhome on January 16, alleging forgery related to the London property ownership dispute. The Attorney General's office assumed control of the case on January 26, taking over prosecution from the anti-corruption agency.
During previous court sessions, Oyedepo had assured the judiciary that the matter would be handled with the highest standards of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence, and compliance with due process of law. The withdrawal represents a significant shift in the government's approach to the case, indicating a need for broader coordination between investigative bodies before proceeding with formal charges.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The court's decision to strike out the case provides temporary resolution to the legal proceedings against Ozekhome, though the Attorney General's office maintains the option to refile charges following their comprehensive review. This development follows a pattern of recent high-profile case withdrawals by federal authorities, including the striking out of criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Legal observers note that such withdrawals often reflect strategic considerations within the justice system, particularly when multiple agencies are investigating interconnected matters. The Attorney General's office now has the opportunity to consolidate evidence and coordinate with various investigative bodies before determining whether to pursue the forgery allegations through alternative legal avenues or administrative processes.
