SUNTV Global Channel Report
The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed fresh criminal charges against prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, escalating an already high-profile legal battle tied to an alleged forgery and a disputed property in the United Kingdom.
Court filings obtained on Tuesday show that prosecutors lodged a 12-count charge before the FCT High Court in Abuja, accusing the senior lawyer of offences related to the alleged use of a forged Nigerian passport during litigation over a London property.
The new charges were filed just hours after an earlier case against Ozekhome was struck out. The initial prosecution had been instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission but was later withdrawn following an application by the Attorney-General’s office, which cited the need to reorganize and consolidate investigations.
Justice Peter Kekemeke granted the withdrawal, effectively clearing the path for what officials described as a restructured prosecution strategy.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Ozekhome had been held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and was expected to face fresh arraignment based on the newly filed charges.
The controversy centers on a prolonged ownership dispute involving a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London, which was contested before the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Prosecutors allege that Ozekhome relied on forged identity documents, including a Nigerian passport issued in the name “Tali Shani,” to support claims that the property had been gifted to him in 2021.
However, in a landmark ruling delivered in September 2025, the UK tribunal rejected those claims, describing key individuals involved as impostors and declaring several documents submitted during proceedings as forged.
The tribunal ultimately ruled that the property belonged to the estate of late former FCT Minister, Jeremiah Useni. It also concluded that the name “Tali Shani” had been used as a false identity allegedly linked to efforts to conceal ownership of offshore assets.
Legal analysts say the fresh charges signal a major escalation that could lead to a prolonged courtroom battle, with significant implications for one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal figures.
Ozekhome has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations at the time of this report.
