Federal Government Arraigns Ozekhome and Ex-FCT Minister's Son Over Alleged Fraud
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken legal action against prominent lawyer Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Ponfa Useni, the son of the late former Federal Capital Territory Minister Jeremiah Useni. The duo faced arraignment on Friday before Justice Chizoba Oji at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on a 12-count charge related to alleged fraudulent activities.
Details of the Allegations and Court Proceedings
According to the charges filed by the prosecution, Mike Ozekhome is accused of utilizing a counterfeit Nigerian passport in connection with a disputed property matter in the United Kingdom. Ponfa Useni, identified as the offspring of the late ex-FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni, is implicated in the same case. Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty to all counts when the charges were formally read in open court, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle.
Following their pleas, defense counsel Tayo Oyetibo, representing Ozekhome, and F. R. Onoja, acting for Useni, promptly applied for bail on behalf of their clients. The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose these bail applications, leading to a swift judicial response.
Bail Conditions and Future Trial
In her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦10 million, with one surety required to match this amount. The court imposed stringent conditions, mandating that the sureties must own verifiable properties within the Federal Capital Territory. Additionally, both Ozekhome and Useni were ordered to surrender their international passports to the court as part of the bail terms to ensure their availability for future proceedings.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for trial, with further hearings expected to delve deeper into the allegations and evidence presented by the Federal Government. This development marks a significant legal confrontation involving high-profile individuals and underscores ongoing efforts to address fraud within Nigeria's judicial system.
