The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has filed criminal charges against prominent lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), over alleged fraud involving a London property.
The charges, filed by Head of the ICPC’s High Profile Prosecution Department, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, were presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Ozekhome was accused of complicity in a large-scale corruption case.
The charge, which was sighted on Sunday, is marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26, dated and filed on January 16, naming Ozekhome as the sole defendant.
The ICPC launched an investigation into the case after a London property tribunal issued a damning judgment that allegedly implicated Ozekhome and others in a web of fraud and forged documents.
The probe was initiated following a petition from the head of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, Olanrewaju Suraj.
The petition referenced the British court judgment, accusing Ozekhome and several others of conspiring with corrupt Nigerian officials to procure fake national identity documents in an attempt to “fraudulently claim ownership” of a property in North London.
In the first count, the EFCC alleged that sometime in August 2021, or thereabouts in London, Ozekhome directly received House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, purportedly given to him by one Mr Shani Tali.
The EFCC alleged that the SAN knew the act constituted a felony, contrary to Section 13 and is punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count two alleges that Ozekhome, while acting as a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made a false document—a Nigerian passport (A07535463) bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali—sometime in August 2021. The commission claims this was done to support a fraudulent claim of ownership of the property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.
Count three alleges that Ozekhome dishonestly used the same false Nigerian passport to support the ownership claim of the property, knowing that the document was false. The ICPC states this act violates Section 366 and is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
The charges are supported by exhibits including the London tribunal judgment (REF/2023/0155, dated September 11, 2025); an extra-judicial statement from Ozekhome dated January 12, 2026; interim forfeiture proceedings regarding the London property at the Federal High Court; a December 18, 2025, letter; the data page of Shani Tali; and other relevant documents yet to be obtained.
The ICPC listed witnesses expected to testify against Ozekhome, including investigators Mr Wakili Musa, Mr Tosin Olayiwola, Mr Ebenezer Nduo, and Mr Blessing Monokpo.
A representative from the Nigerian Immigration Service is also expected to provide evidence, though their name was not mentioned in the proof of evidence. Additional witnesses may be summoned by subpoena or through an updated list of witnesses.
As of the filing of this report, the case has yet to be assigned to a judge.
Reacting to the development, Ozekhome denied any knowledge of the criminal charges, stating that he has not been formally served with court documents. Speaking with The Punch, he said he learned of the case only through media reports.
“I have not even been served the charge. I am just reading the report like any other person. It is a deliberate media trial to enlist public sentiments against me. It is unfortunate. No man is God. And my God slumbereth not,” he said.
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