The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a three-count criminal charge against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, accusing him of fraud, forgery, and using false documents in connection with a disputed property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26, was filed on January 16, 2026, at the Abuja High Court (FCT High Court) by ICPC lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, Head of the High Profile Prosecution Department, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Ozekhome, 68, of No. 53 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, is the sole defendant.
The allegations stem from events around August 2021, linked to a September 11, 2025, judgment by the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in case REF/2023/0155, which described the transaction as involving “a network of fraud, impersonation, and forged documents.”
Count One alleged that Ozekhome directly received the London property, purportedly gifted by one “Mr Shani Tali,” an act constituting a felony contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count Two accused him of making a false document, a Nigerian passport (No. A07535463) bearing the name of Mr. Shani Tali, while acting as a legal practitioner and SAN, with intent to support his ownership claim and commit fraud.
The anti-graft agency said that the move contravene Section 363 and be punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code, CAP 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.
Count Three charged him with dishonestly using the same allegedly false passport as genuine to bolster the ownership claim, knowing or having reason to know it was false, contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Penal Code.
Supporting the charge is a list of exhibits, including the UK tribunal judgment (REF/2023/0155), Ozekhome’s extra-judicial statement to ICPC dated January 12, 2026, interim forfeiture proceedings at the Federal High Court regarding the property, a December 18, 2025 letter, the data page of Shani Tali’s passport, and other documents.
The proof of evidence lists witnesses, including ICPC investigators Wakili Musa, Tosin Olayiwola, Ebenezer Nduo, and Blessing Monokpo; a representative from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); and others to be subpoenaed if needed.
The ICPC investigation followed a petition and the UK tribunal ruling, which invalidated Ozekhome’s claim to the property—originally linked to the late Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni—and found no valid transfer from “Shani Tali,” whose identity was questioned amid forged Nigerian documents (including passport, NIN, and TIN).
As of filing, the case has not been assigned to a judge, and no plea has been taken; and Ozekhome has not yet publicly responded to the charges.
