The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Ponfa Useni and the late General Jeremiah Useni before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged forgery and conspiracy linked to the ownership of a property in the United Kingdom.
The defendants were brought before Justice C.N. Oji on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The prosecution alleged that the accused conspired to forge a Nigerian international passport to support a claim of ownership of a property located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court of a 12-count amended charge dated February 25, 2026, and urged the court to substitute it for the earlier charge filed on February 24, 2026.
He also drew attention to the proof of evidence comprising 501 pages, requesting that the court accept the amended charge and direct the defendants to enter their pleas.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly agreed in 2020 in Abuja to cause the production of a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 bearing the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, with the intent of using it to support their ownership claim over the London property.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 96(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006, and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.
Another count alleged that in 2022, the defendants conspired to use the same passport as genuine to facilitate their claim to the property.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their plea, the prosecution submitted that the not-guilty stance had set the stage for trial in line with Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Oyedepo urged the court to grant the matter an accelerated hearing, noting that the case carried significant public interest implications, including for the legal profession.
He confirmed that the prosecution would not oppose the bail applications already filed by the defence.
Counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, commended the prosecution for its stance on bail and assured the court of full cooperation toward speedy determination.
He urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, citing his status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over 45 years of legal practice, residence in Abuja and familiarity to the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Similarly, counsel to the second defendant, Onoja, SAN, appreciated the non-opposition to bail and urged the court to release his client to his spouse on liberal terms.
He informed the court that the second defendant suffers from a serious heart condition and had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC on liberal conditions.
In her ruling, Justice Oji granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one reasonable surety who must own property in Abuja and ordered that their international passports be deposited with the court.
The judge further directed that the matter be accorded accelerated hearing and adjourned the case to March 13 and April 15 and 16, 2026 for trial.
