The Digest:
The federal government has filed fresh 12-count criminal charges against Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome over alleged use of a fake Nigerian passport in a disputed UK property case. The charges, filed at the FCT High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, name Ponfa Useni (son of late FCT minister Jeremiah Useni) as second defendant. The government alleges that between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa, and the late Useni conspired to use a false Nigerian passport (No. A07535463) bearing the name "Tali Shani" to support a property claim at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2. The charges include conspiracy, forgery, personation, and cheating by personation under the Penal Code Law 2009. The case follows earlier charges filed by the ICPC in January, which were withdrawn after the AGF took over prosecution. Ozekhome previously had forgery charges struck out after the AGF withdrew them.
Key Points:
- The fresh charges revive legal jeopardy for Ozekhome after previous case was struck out.
- Allegations involve complex international property dispute and identity fraud claims.
- Ozekhome faces potential conviction, while the government pursues multi-count indictment.
- This signals the government's determination to prosecute regardless of legal status.
- The timing, after AGF takeover, reflects sustained focus on the case.
Sources: The Cable, FCT High Court
