The Federal Government is set to arraign a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged fraud linked to a property in London, United Kingdom.
Barring any last-minute changes, the arraignment will take place on Monday, January 26, at Courtroom 4 of the High Court, according to an official hearing notice. The case is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In the charge, Chief Ozekhome is listed as the sole defendant, while the Federal Republic of Nigeria is named as the plaintiff. The prosecution team will be led by Mr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha, who heads the High Profile Prosecution Department of the ICPC.
The hearing notice stated that the matter would be transferred from the general cause list to the hearing paper for Monday’s proceedings, which are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. It also advised that any party seeking an adjournment must apply to the court in good time and provide evidence where the request is based on facts. Parties wishing to compel the attendance of witnesses were also directed to give reasonable notice.
According to court documents, the ICPC filed a three-count charge against the senior lawyer on January 16. The charges border on alleged fraudulent acquisition of property and the use of false documents.
In the first count, the ICPC alleged that Chief Ozekhome, in August 2021, while in London, directly received a property located at House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The property was allegedly given to him by one Mr. Shani Tali.
The anti-corruption agency claimed that Ozekhome knew that the transaction amounted to a felony at the time he received the property. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The second count accused the senior lawyer of creating a false Nigerian passport in August 2021 while acting in his capacity as a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The passport, bearing the name of Mr. Shani Tali and passport number A07535463, was allegedly forged to support a false claim of ownership of the London property.
According to the ICPC, this act is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT, Abuja.
The third count alleged that Chief Ozekhome dishonestly used the same false passport to support the ownership claim of the property, despite knowing that the document was not genuine. This offence is also said to be contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
The case against the senior lawyer followed a petition submitted to the ICPC by Mr. Olanrewaju Suraj, the head of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), a civil society organisation known for its advocacy against corruption.
In the petition, Suraj reportedly drew the attention of the ICPC to a judgment delivered by a British court. The judgment allegedly accused Chief Ozekhome and others of working with corrupt Nigerian officials to obtain fake national identity documents.
According to the petition, these documents were allegedly used to fraudulently claim ownership of the property located in North London. The ICPC said the petition raised serious concerns about the use of forged documents and cross-border fraud involving Nigerian citizens.
Following the petition, the ICPC said it launched a detailed investigation into the matter. The investigation was said to have been triggered by a judgment from a London property tribunal, which allegedly linked Ozekhome and others to a network of fraud involving forged documents.
The commission said the tribunal’s findings suggested that the ownership claim of the property was backed by false identity documents, including a Nigerian passport. These findings, according to the ICPC, formed the basis of the charges now filed before the FCT High Court.
Chief Mike Ozekhome is a well-known figure in Nigeria’s legal and political space. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he has been involved in several high-profile cases and is known for his outspoken views on governance, human rights, and the rule of law.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest professional honour for lawyers in the country. It is awarded to legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves in the profession through advocacy, scholarship, and service. Because of this status, cases involving SANs often attract public attention.
The ICPC, established in 2000, is one of Nigeria’s main anti-corruption agencies. It is mandated to investigate and prosecute cases involving corruption, abuse of office, and related offences, especially in the public sector. In recent years, the commission has said it is expanding its focus to include complex and high-profile cases, including those with international dimensions.
The arraignment of Chief Ozekhome is coming at a time when the Federal Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to fighting corruption at all levels, regardless of status or influence. Officials of the ICPC have often said that no individual is above the law and that the commission will pursue any case where there is sufficient evidence.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official public statement from Chief Ozekhome or his legal team responding to the charges. It is expected that the defence may raise preliminary objections or seek bail once the arraignment begins.
Monday’s court appearance is likely to set the tone for what could be a closely watched legal battle. If the case proceeds without delay, the court is expected to take the plea of the defendant and determine the next steps, including whether the trial will proceed immediately or be adjourned.
For many Nigerians, the case is another test of the country’s anti-corruption efforts, especially when prominent individuals are involved. Civil society groups have called for transparency and fairness in the handling of the matter, urging the judiciary to ensure that justice is done.
