FG arraigns Ozekhome, Useni’s son over alleged forgery, impersonation in UK property dispute
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late former FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni, were on Friday arraigned before Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and unlawful control of a property in the United Kingdom.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), stem from an alleged scheme to forge a Nigerian international passport in the name of a fictitious person, “Tali Shani,” to support a claim to a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The controversy originated from a dispute over the London property, which became the subject of litigation at the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155. In that case, “Mrs Tali Shani” was listed as the applicant, with Ozekhome as the respondent.
Ozekhome claimed he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021 for legal services rendered. A witness identifying as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in his favor, asserting ownership since 1993 and claiming to have appointed the late Jeremiah Useni as property manager, describing him as an “elder friend and business partner.” The witness also said he held powers of attorney over the property and transferred it to Ozekhome.
Conversely, witnesses supporting “Ms Tali Shani” tendered documents, including an obituary announcement, National Identification Number (NIN) card, ECOWAS passport, and phone records to assert her ownership. However, the UK tribunal ruled all such documents fake and dismissed the claims, concluding that neither “Mr” nor “Ms Tali Shani” existed as real persons.
In Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a three-count charge against Ozekhome on January 16, 2026, accusing him of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to support his claim during the UK proceedings.
The AGF took over the case on January 26. At a resumed hearing last Tuesday, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), counsel to the AGF, applied to withdraw the charge, citing the need for time to review and consolidate issues across investigating agencies to strengthen the prosecution. Justice Peter Kekemeke struck out the charge.
Shortly afterward, Ozekhome was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The federal government then filed the fresh 12-count charge at the FCT High Court. Among other allegations, the charge sheet states that between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni conspired to procure and use a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 in the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, to support their claim to the property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
One count reads: “That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to use as genuine a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani to facilitate your claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 364 of the same Law.”
The offences are said to contravene various sections of the Penal Code Law 2009. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts. The case has been adjourned for further proceedings.
