FG Files Fresh 12-Count Charge Against Senior Advocate Ozekhome Over Alleged Passport Forgery

Timescope news 

ABUJA – The Federal Government has instituted a fresh 12-count charge against prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, over allegations bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and personation.

Ozekhome was charged alongside one Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, at the FCT High Court. The fresh charge follows the recent withdrawal of an earlier three-count charge filed against the legal luminary by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to court documents, the allegations stem from a dispute concerning a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2. The prosecuting authorities allege that the defendants conspired to forge documents, including a Nigerian passport bearing the name "Tali Shani," to support a claim over the said property.

The late General Jeremiah Useni was also named in the charge sheet as a co-conspirator in the alleged fraudulent scheme.

Furthermore, Ozekhome is accused of being in control of £18,000 in rent proceeds derived from the disputed London property. The government alleges that the funds are proceeds of unlawful activity and are subject to confiscation.

The fresh 12-count charge was filed after the Attorney-General of the Federation withdrew the initial ICPC complaint, clearing the path for this new set of allegations.

Sources close to the matter confirmed that the FCT High Court is yet to fix a definite date for the arraignment of the defendants, where the charges will be formally read to them and their pleas taken.

Ozekhome, a well-known civil rights lawyer, has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the fresh allegations. Attempts to reach his chambers for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.