FG files 12-count charge against Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni over alleged forgery and unlawful control of UK property
The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a fresh 12-count charge against Chief Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over alleged conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and unlawful control of a property in the United Kingdom.
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The charge, instituted by the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Federal Government, accuses the defendants of forging a Nigerian International Passport and related documents to support a claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2.
The late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, General Jeremiah Useni, was named in several counts as a co-conspirator.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2020 in Abuja to procure a false Nigerian International Passport, No. A07535463, in the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service. The government contends that the document was intended to bolster their claim to the London property.
In Counts 1 and 2, the prosecution alleged that the defendants agreed to forge the passport and subsequently produced the false document between May 30, 2020 and 2021, contrary to provisions of the Penal Code Law 2009. Counts 3 and 4 further alleged conspiracy and dishonest use of the purported forged passport between 2022 and 2025.
Counts 5 and 7 specifically accused Useni of false personation and cheating by personation, alleging that on or about May 30, 2020, he falsely presented himself as “Tali Shani,” described as a fictitious person, and executed an irrevocable Power of Attorney in that name in connection with the property claim.
In Counts 6 and 8, Ozekhome was accused of abetting impersonation and cheating by jointly executing the Power of Attorney dated May 30, 2020, with the alleged fictitious identity.
Count 9 alleged that Ozekhome had under his control the London property, which investigators reasonably suspected was unlawfully obtained, while Count 10 alleged he controlled £18,000 in accrued rent believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
Counts 11 and 12 further accused the defendants of conspiring in 2023 to forge a document titled “Re: Request for Authentication of Nigerian Passport No. A07535463 Belonging to Mr Tali Shani,” dated May 4, 2023, and falsely presenting it as originating from the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The charge was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, and Chief State Counsel A.R. Tahir on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
An affidavit deposed to by a litigation officer in the ministry stated that investigations had substantially concluded and that a prima facie case had been established.
Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni are currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The FCT High Court is expected to fix a date for their arraignment.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney-General withdrew three separate charges previously filed against Ozekhome. Oyedepo informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the Attorney-General had opted for a holistic review of the matter pursuant to Section 174 of the Constitution, which empowers the office to institute, take over or discontinue criminal proceedings.
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Justice Kekemeke subsequently struck out the earlier charges following an unopposed application by the prosecution.
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