EFCC Detains Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome in 'Tali Shani' UK Property Dispute
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), over his alleged involvement in a contentious United Kingdom property case, widely known as the 'Tali Shani affair'. This arrest occurred shortly after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court dismissed a prior forgery charge against him, with authorities now preparing to bring new charges to court imminently.
Background of the Property Controversy
The dispute centers on a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, which has been the subject of legal proceedings in the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155. In this case, Tali Shani was listed as the applicant, with Ozekhome named as the respondent. The late Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general, was also implicated in the broader dispute.
Ozekhome reportedly informed the tribunal that he received the property as a gift from 'Mr Tali Shani' in 2021. However, lawyers representing 'Ms Tali Shani' argued that she was the rightful owner. A witness identified as 'Mr Tali Shani' testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming to hold Powers of Attorney over the property and having transferred it to him, with ownership claims dating back to 1993 and Useni appointed as property manager.
On the opposing side, witnesses for 'Ms Tali Shani' presented documents such as an obituary announcement, a National Identification Number card, and an ECOWAS passport to bolster ownership claims. The tribunal, however, ruled these documents as fraudulent and ultimately dismissed all claims, concluding that neither 'Mr' nor 'Ms' Tali Shani existed.
Legal Proceedings in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) initially filed a three-count charge against Ozekhome on January 16, accusing him of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during the London tribunal proceedings. The office of the attorney-general of the federation assumed control of the case on January 26.
During a resumed hearing for arraignment, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the AGF, applied to withdraw the charge, stating that the AGF's office required time to 'review and consolidate issues involving different investigating agencies to strengthen the case'. Presiding judge Peter Kekemeke subsequently struck out the charge, after which Ozekhome was arrested by the EFCC.
Fresh Charges and Allegations
The federal government has now filed a fresh 12-count charge at the FCT high court in Abuja, alleging multiple offences, including the use of a fake Nigerian passport. According to the charge sheet, between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni allegedly conspired to create and use a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 under the name Tali Shani, purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, to support their claim over the London property.
The charges include:
- Conspiracy to use forged documents
- Forgery under the Penal Code Law 2009
- Personation of a fictitious individual
- Abetment of fraudulent acts
One specific count alleges that the defendants 'conspired amongst yourselves to use as genuine a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani to facilitate your claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom'.
Further allegations state that Ponfa Useni falsely personated the fictitious Tali Shani and executed a Power of Attorney in that capacity, while Ozekhome allegedly abetted this by executing documents related to the disputed property. The matter is set to proceed before the FCT high court as the new charges advance, highlighting ongoing legal complexities in this high-profile case.
