Federal government has filed a criminal case against Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria, over allegations of using forged documents in a property dispute in the United Kingdom.
The three-count charge was filed on Friday before a federal high court in Abuja, according to court documents.
The charge was submitted by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, head of high-profile prosecutions at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alongside Ngozi Onwuka, on behalf of the attorney-general of the federation.
Mr Ozekhome is accused of presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to support his claim of ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the UK First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
According to the charge, the alleged offences were committed in August 2021 in the Maitama area of Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the FCT high court.
The counts relate to giving false information, use of forged documents and attempting to mislead a public authority.
Prosecutors allege that Ozekhome claimed the London property was gifted to him by one Shani Tali and used documents bearing that name to support the claim.
The federal government listed investigators and a representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service as witnesses.
Documents to be tendered include the judgement of the UK tribunal, statements, official correspondence, and passport records. A trial date has not been fixed.
The case is linked to a property dispute involving Ozekhome and the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni.
The dispute was filed before the UK First-Tier Tribunal under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
During the proceedings, a witness identified as Tali Shani testified in support of Mike Ozekhome, claiming authority over the property and stating that it had been transferred to him.
However, the tribunal found that the documents presented under the Tali Shani name were false, ruled that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed and held that Useni was the owner of the property.
