By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 27, 2026, arraigned Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Ponfa Useni and the late General Jeremiah Useni before Justice C.N. Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over the alleged forgery of documents and a Nigerian international passport to facilitate a claim of ownership of a property in the United Kingdom.
In an official signed statement, the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the defendants were arraigned on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
At Friday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, drew the attention of the court to a 12-count amended charge dated February 25, 2026, urging the court to substitute it for the initial charge dated February 24, 2026.
“My lord, I also want to draw your attention to the proof of evidence filed alongside the documents marked page 1 to 501, that your lordship will accept the amended charge alongside the proof of evidence. We rely on them that your lordship will cause the defendants to take their pleas,” he said.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly agreed in 2020 in Abuja to make a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 bearing the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, with the intent of using it to support a claim of ownership of a property known as No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom. The alleged offence is said to contravene Section 96(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006, and is punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.
Another count alleged that in 2022, the defendants conspired to use the same purportedly false passport as genuine to facilitate their ownership claim over the said property in London, an act also said to be contrary to the Penal Code Act.
When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following the plea, Oyedepo informed the court that the not guilty plea had set the stage for trial in line with Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice System. He urged the court to accord the matter accelerated hearing.
“My lord, a lot are at stake in this proceedings, in the interest of the society, that of the defence and that of the legal profession, as such we will be urging your lordship that this matter, with the cooperation of the defence be granted or accord priority to the hearing and determination of this matter, I mean accelerated hearing. In that case, we will be asking for a very short trial day to enable the defendant to show cause in good faith and the prosecution prepare and be ready for the trial. We have been served with the two different applications for bail, which we won’t be opposing, so we will be urging your lordship that this matter be determined on time,” he said.
Responding, counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, commended the prosecution for not opposing the bail application and assured the court of their cooperation toward accelerated determination of the case. He urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, noting that Ozekhome is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over 45 years of legal experience, resides in Abuja and is known to the Attorney General of the Federation.
Similarly, counsel to the second defendant, Onoja, SAN, appreciated the prosecution’s stance on bail. He described his client as a humble man whose spouse is also a member of the bar, adding that the second defendant suffers from a serious heart condition, which informed the EFCC’s earlier grant of administrative bail on liberal terms.
“My short application is that he should be released to his wife in the same manner. I urge your lordship that you make the bail condition to be one surety who should be his spouse,” he said.
In her ruling, Justice Oji granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10 million each with one reasonable surety who must own property in Abuja. She also ordered that their international passports be deposited in the custody of the court and directed that the matter be given accelerated hearing.
The case was subsequently adjourned to March 13, 2026, and April 15 and 16, 2026, for trial.
