The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has officially opened a criminal case against Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, over allegations involving a London property and the use of a falsified Nigerian passport. The case, filed under charge number FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, was instituted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with Chief Ozekhome, aged 68 and residing at No. 53 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, as the defendant.

Three Serious Charges

Ozekhome faces three counts concerning alleged receipt of property abroad, forgery, and fraudulent use of false documents:

• Count One: Prosecutors allege that in August 2021, while in London, Ozekhome received a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, purportedly from Mr. Shani Tali, an act claimed to contravene Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

• Count Two: He is accused of creating a false Nigerian passport (A07535463) in Abuja, in the name of Mr. Shani Tali, allegedly to substantiate a claim to the London property. This act reportedly violates Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code, CAP 532, FCT Laws, 2006.

• Count Three: Ozekhome allegedly used the falsified passport to support his claim, despite knowing it was fake, an offense under Sections 366 and 364 of the Penal Code.

The charge sheet was signed on January 16, 2026, by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, Head of the High Profile Prosecution Department, and Ngozi Onwuka, Assistant Chief Legal Officer at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation. A hearing date is yet to be announced.

Background: London Property Dispute

The charges arise from a long-running ownership battle over the London property. In September 2025, a UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) ruled that the house, registered under the name Tali Shani, belonged to the estate of the late General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, who purchased it in 1993.

The tribunal determined that both “Ms. Tali Shani” and “Mr. Tali Shani” were impostors. Investigations, including checks on a National Identification Number (NIN) and a mobile phone bill, confirmed the identities were fabricated. Documentation from Jersey courts showed Useni had originally used the alias “Tali Shani” to conceal offshore assets.

UK Court Findings

The tribunal highlighted document forgery and deception in the case, stating:

“A large number of documents in this case have been produced or procured by forgery or deception, including all identity documents, witness statements, a plainly fake witness statement purporting to be from General Useni, letters from alleged hospitals in Lagos, an alleged death certificate, and funeral notices produced by Mr. Obasi.”

As a result, Ozekhome’s application to register an interest in the property was struck out, reaffirming the London property as part of General Useni’s estate.