EFCC Arraigns Mike Ozekhome, Alleges Passport Forgery In UK Property Dispute

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 27, 2026, arraigned Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN; Ponfa Useni; and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased) before Justice C.N. Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged forgery of documents and a Nigerian international passport to facilitate a claim of ownership to a property in the United Kingdom.

The defendants were docked on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, drew the court’s attention to the amended charge dated February 25, 2026, urging the court to substitute it for the original charge dated February 24, 2026.

“My Lord, I also wish to draw your attention to the proof of evidence filed alongside the amended charge, marked pages 1 to 501. We urge your Lordship to accept the amended charge together with the proof of evidence and cause the defendants to take their pleas,” he said.
Count one of the charge alleges that the defendants, sometime in 2020 in Abuja, conspired to commit an illegal act by allegedly forging a Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 in the name of Tali Shani, purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service. The prosecution claimed the passport was intended to support a claim of ownership of a property located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom. 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.
Count three further alleges that in 2022, the defendants conspired to use the said passport as genuine to facilitate their claim to the same London property, contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Act and punishable under Section 364.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their pleas, the prosecution noted that the not-guilty stance had set the stage for trial, citing Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice System. Oyedepo urged the court to grant accelerated hearing of the matter, stating that significant interests were at stake, including those of society, the defence and the legal profession.
“In the interest of all parties, we urge your Lordship to accord this matter priority and fix an early trial date. We have been served with two bail applications, which we do not intend to oppose. We therefore pray that the matter be determined expeditiously,” he said.
In response, counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, commended the prosecution for not opposing bail and assured the court of the defence’s cooperation toward an accelerated hearing. He urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, noting that he is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over 45 years of legal practice, resides in Abuja, and is well known to the Attorney-General of the Federation.